That’s according to the visitors’ arrivals statistics supplied by the Statistics Division of the Ministry of Finance.
“Solomon Islands received a total of 8,964 overseas visitors in the first six months of this year,” the Statistics division said.
This is a drop for the country compared to last year, Solomon Islands Visitor Bureau (SIVB) General Manager Michael Tokuru said.
“This shows a slight drop by 0.8% from the same period last year,” he added.
“Based on average spending of $11,000 per visitor (IVS, 2007), it is estimated that Solomon Islands received $98.6 million from visitors spending on goods and services in the first six months of this year,” Mr Tokuru said.
In terms of visit by month, Solomon Islands recorded the highest number of overseas visitors in April and June.
As shown in the graph, the monthly visitors’ arrivals are fairly constant and less skewed during the period, he said.
In terms of visitors classified as tourists, Solomon Islands received 2,247 tourists in the first six months of this year.
This shows a slight drop by 0.7% from the same period last year.
Mr Tokuru noted that the number of tourists to Solomon Islands are increasing but at a declining rate.
“Their average length of stay for the first six months of this year was 15 days compared with 14 days in the same period last year,” he said.
In terms of visit by purpose, 2,084 visitors (44%) came for business and conference; 1,282 visitors (27%) came for holiday; 629 visitors (13%) came to visit friends and relatives; 46 visitors (1%) came to transit; and 713 visitors (15%) came for other purposes during the 2nd quarter of this year.
As shown in the graph, all categories except transit recorded small increases during the first six months this year.
On year to date arrivals, Solomon Islands received a total of 18,335 overseas visitors during the twelve months to June 2010. This shows a modest increase by 2% from the previous twelve- month period.
With visitors arrivals expected to be higher in the second half of this year, SIVB is optimistic its target of 20,000 overseas visitors for 2010 will be achieved.
By MOFFAT MAMU
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