The Solomon Islands has generated approximately $730 million (USD90 million) in tourism receipts in 2024.
This represents an increase of around $400 million (USD49 million) compared to 2019, the pre-COVID-19 period, when the government collected about $330 million (USD41 million).
Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Philip Sukibuka, confirmed this during his presentation at the Tourism In Focus event held in Honiara on Thursday – 19th February.
Mr. Sukibuka said that following the reopening of international borders, tourism receipts have rebounded strongly and are now performing beyond pre-COVID-19 levels, although visitor arrival numbers have not yet fully recovered.
“In terms of receipts, we derived USD85 million in 2023 and USD90 million in 2024. That is approximately $730 million,” he said.
He acknowledged the Government for recognising tourism as a critical engine of economic growth.
Mr. Sukibuka also attributed the sector’s strong performance to increased development budget allocations since 2019.
He noted that the development budget was $7.8 million in 2019, dropped to $6.3 million in 2020 due to the pandemic, but increased to $10 million in 2021 and has remained at that level up to now.
The ministry is currently focusing on product development and investment initiatives beginning in 2024.
Under its product development strategy, the country is divided into three tourism regions — eastern, central, and western.
The eastern region includes Makira-Ulawa, Rennell and Bellona, and Temotu Province.
The central region covers Guadalcanal, Central Islands, and Malaita Province.
The western region includes Western Province, Choiseul, and Isabel Province.
One of the key projects the ministry is prioritising is the Bloody Ridge National Park.
Mr. Sukibuka said the ministry is also progressing renovation and construction work on a replica of Tulagi No. 1 House, with interior exhibitions currently underway.
Support has also been extended to the East Rennell World Heritage Site.
In terms of investment, Mr. Sukibuka commended the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) programme, which has profiled Guadalcanal and Central Province projects that are expected to be ready soon.
He also revealed that a new investor has entered the surfing sector at Frigate Island in Makira.
Last year, the ministry supported four local investors: Parangiju Mountain Lodge on Guadalcanal, Raiders Motel and Double Islands in Central Province, and Zaru Motel in Gizo.
