Solomon Islands wraps up biggest ever Australian travel promotion

Wrapping up the biggest ever Solomon Islands promotional campaign in Australia, Solomon Airlines and the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau have hailed the week-long travel industry road show industry update series in Queensland and NSW a major success.

With travel agent workshops taking place in Brisbane, Wollongong and on the New South Wales Central Coast, the Solomon Islands message has also been fully delivered to senior Australian travel industry representatives, airline management, travel agents and travel writers via a formal luncheon event taking place in Sydney attended by the Solomon Islands High Commissioner (acting) Ms Fiona Indu.

Speaking on his return to Honiara, SIVB CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto said the Solomon Islands government was ready to take the next step forward  as evidenced by the launch last week of its national strategic plan to address tourism.

“For us as industry players, that tells us where we want to go,” Mr Tuamoto said.

“Tourism has always been a ‘pillar’ for economic growth in the Solomon Islands but until now it has just been a ‘pillar on paper’. There has been no real resource placed behind it.

“But now things have changed and for the first time, the Solomon Islands government is serious about tourism and is putting resources into it.

“Tourism growth is a priority area for the economic and social  well-being of the country and the tourism sector now stands to actively benefit by the support being implemented by the government.

“And that can only be a good thing.”

The event was timed perfectly to coincide with a major six-week long consumer campaign designed to both promote the national carrier’s Sydney-Honiara direct service which commences on 02 June and also to encourage even more Australians to holiday in the Solomon Islands.

The consumer awareness element was further compounded via a series of high profile ‘concerts’ performed by a troupe of Hageulu Panpipers from Isabel Province who danced and played their traditional music in each city and area visited.

Venues included Circular Quay in front of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Westfield Parramatta, the Novotel Northbeach Hotel in Wollongong, the Mercure Kooindah Waters on the New South Wales Central Coast and also at the Hotel Urban in Brisbane’s CBD.

Pictured, the Hageulu Panpipers performing in front of the of the world’s most iconic landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.