A locally and family-owned accommodation business in Munda, Western Province is reporting a significant increase in international guests this year, reinforcing Western Province’s position as a premier tourist destination.
Since the beginning of 2025, Qua Roviana Accommodation has hosted 87 overseas visitors. The majority of these travelers hailed from Australia, with smaller groups arriving from New Zealand, Europe, Asia, and USA.
General Manager, Solomon Wickham, told Solomon Star that this growth marks a positive shift compared to last year.
“We’ve been conducting both land and sea tours, with a special focus on World War II historical sites, as well as island-hopping, picnics, fishing, and snorkeling activities,” Wickham explained in a recent interview.
He added that the accommodation offers a comfortable medium-range to budget option for travelers.
“The property consists of a two-story building featuring rooms on both the ground and upper levels, all designed to provide a “homely experience” for our guest’s, Mr Wickham explained
Looking ahead, Wickham is optimistic about the remainder of 2025.Based on this year’s trend, “I’m confident that we’ll see even more international guests visiting our accommodation and other tourist sites in and around d Munda and Western Province,” he said.
A recent group of visitors from the United States, which included former combat servicemen, stayed at Qua Roviana Accommodation and toured the local World War II historical sites and relics in the area.
According to the latest figures from the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office, a total of 11,564 international arrivals were recorded in the first quarter of 2025.
This represented a 26.4 percent decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. However, compared to the same period last year, arrivals increased significantly by 13.8 percent.
Visitors made up 48.5 percent of arrivals, while returning residents accounted for 51.2 percent. Less than 1 percent were new intending residents.
Visitor arrivals for the first quarter stood at 5,612, down from 6,878 in the previous quarter. Compared to the first quarter of 2024, visitor numbers rose by 14.5 percent.
Australia remained the largest source market for tourists, making up 26 percent of holiday visitors, followed by China (12.5%), Fiji (9.1%), and other Pacific and Asian countries.
March recorded the highest number of visitors during the quarter at 2,259, followed by February with 1,891, while January saw the least with 1,462.
The first quarter also recorded 1,666 tourists, with most (1,505) reporting that holiday and vacation was their main purpose of travel. On average, tourists spent 12 days in the country
With the launch of weekly Brisbane–Munda flights in February 2024 last year, Munda continues to receive a growing share of international travelers.
In the first quarter of 2025, 267 overseas arrivals were recorded in Munda, with Australians making up a large majority at 82.8 percent.
Other visitors to Munda came from New Zealand (6.7%), the United States (3.4%), the United Kingdom (2.6%), and Europe (2.2%).
Tourism remains a key driver of Western Province’s economy.
In 2021, former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare noted that the province contributes 16 to 20 percent of national economic growth through sectors including logging, tourism, and industry.
Qua Roviana Accommodation is centrally located at Lambete Station, right next to the fresh produce market. It is within easy reach of shops, a nearby bank, the jetty, and just a five-minute walk from Munda Airport.
Meanwhile, other tourism resorts outside Gizo including Imagination Island Resort, Sanbis Resort, Fatboys, Kilupania, Tituru Lodge, and Zipolo Habu Resort have continued to attract more international visitors, with guests enjoying their leisure time.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
