Solomon Island visitors bureau (SIVB) chief executive officer (CEO) together with representatives from the ministry of culture and tourism (MCT) brings fresh hopes to Isabel tourism operators with a message ‘Step for Change’.
The visit was conducted by Josefa Tuamoto SIVB CEO, his staff, the ministry of culture and tourism minister Samuel Manetoali and an aviation official.
The team first visited Papatura Island Island Retreat on the western tip of Isabel on Wednesday, spent a night there.
They then met with the Papatura Island Retreat management before traveling to Buala on Thursday.
On Friday the team paid a courtesy call to the Isabel provincial government where they met with Premier James Habu and his executive members in Buala .
In the afternoon the team met with Buala tourism operators at provincial government meeting conference room including some provincial members.
The team then left for Kaolo Resort on Bao Bugoto District and spent Friday night at the resort while speaking with owner of the resort.
On Saturday the team travelled to Gao Bugoto District where they visited Varivao Rest House at Kaivaga and travelled onto Lepi. They also commissioned the new Puapuma homestay stay and dropped by at Sigana to look at a government-funded sanitation project and heading to Buala .
During the visits the team were able to witness a number of village stays. They encouraged the operators to continue with their good works.
On Saturday night the team hosted an operator’s function at Buala Maringe Lodge.
On Sunday morning delegation attended a church service at Tasia Anglican training school before boarding their flight back to Honiara in the afternoon.
Mr Tuamoto following the trip expressed his statisfaction saying he was pleased with the visit and the vast uniqueness and hospitality of Isabel people.
He said Isabel have beautiful places and people.
“Isabel offers some great opportunities for tourism.
“Isabel can offers some great opportunities for tourism from cruise tourism, health tourism (health retreat), even religious tourism which the province can able to venture into since it has existing resources.”
He said the bureau and the ministry of culture and tourism will now work together to make use of the opportunities.
With the beauty of the natural resources and strong culture, the province has a lot to offer in terms of tourism, he said.
He urged the operators to work closely with the relevant authorities to promote the industry.
By DENVER NEWTER
