Solomon Islands 'needs new tourism investment now’ - SPTO

BTN News
Thursday, 13 July 2017
Underlining the importance of tourism for the Solomon Islands’ economic future, its prime minister  Manasseh Damukana Sogavare has opened an ‘Invest to Preserve’ forum at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.
Addressing more than 200 delegates from both the tourism and private sector, Sogavare said the “ball was now in our court”.
“Tourism is a key driver for the economic future of this country and there is a need to find the right package to achieve our objectives and my government is seriously committed to promoting the Solomon Islands tourism sector,” he said.
 
The theme for the forum – ‘Invest to Preserve’ – was chosen to reflect the direction the Solomon Islands’ tourism sector needs to pursue to realise its potential.
 
Governor and chairman of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Denton Rarawa, emphasised the current dearth of foreign investment into the tourism sector – currently around five per cent - and a need to urgently address that situation.
 
Rarawa’s reflection on foreign investment was strongly echoed by South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) chief executive Christopher Crocker, who pointed out that apart from Fiji, which has successfully attracted foreign investment, most South Pacific countries including the Solomon Islands were falling well behind.

“There is a need in the Solomon Islands for an attractive hotel incentives package promoting construction both of new hotels and renovations to existing properties,” said Crocker.

Solomon Islands 'needs new tourism investment now’ - SPTO

BTN News
Thursday, 13 July 2017
Underlining the importance of tourism for the Solomon Islands’ economic future, its prime minister  Manasseh Damukana Sogavare has opened an ‘Invest to Preserve’ forum at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.
Addressing more than 200 delegates from both the tourism and private sector, Sogavare said the “ball was now in our court”.
“Tourism is a key driver for the economic future of this country and there is a need to find the right package to achieve our objectives and my government is seriously committed to promoting the Solomon Islands tourism sector,” he said.
 
The theme for the forum – ‘Invest to Preserve’ – was chosen to reflect the direction the Solomon Islands’ tourism sector needs to pursue to realise its potential.
 
Governor and chairman of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Denton Rarawa, emphasised the current dearth of foreign investment into the tourism sector – currently around five per cent - and a need to urgently address that situation.
 
Rarawa’s reflection on foreign investment was strongly echoed by South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) chief executive Christopher Crocker, who pointed out that apart from Fiji, which has successfully attracted foreign investment, most South Pacific countries including the Solomon Islands were falling well behind.

“There is a need in the Solomon Islands for an attractive hotel incentives package promoting construction both of new hotels and renovations to existing properties,” said Crocker.