Solomon Islands Welcomes Increase in Tourists

Solomon Islands is seeing a steady increase in the number of visitor arrivals in the second quarter of 2009. The latest figure released by the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) indicated an 8 percent increase to 4,832 compared to the same period last year.

SIVB general manager Michael Tokuru said visitor arrivals for the first six months of 2009 between January and June grew by 23 percent to 8,805. He said the majority of the visitors were on a business trip. “Fort-three percent of visitors came for business and conference, 26 percent for holiday and vacation, and the rest came to visit friends and relatives, transit, and other business,” he said.

SIVB said those who came for business and conferences grew by 12 percent, while visitors who came for holiday and vacation dropped by 5 percent in the second quarter of 2009.

Australia made up 51 percent of the arrivals, followed by New Zealand, which accounted for 7 percent and USA five percent. More than 20 countries made up the rest. Visitors from Australia grew by 48 percent in the second quarter of 2009 compared with the same period in 2008.

Government has earmarked about $700,000 under its development budget for tourism and other related developments in this area.