West Isa Eco Tourism Association (WIETA) in Kia, Isabel province has approved six existing tourism operators who will receive tourism funds from the association.
Outgoing Member of Parliament for Kia&Avulei constituency has injected the tourism funds into West Isa Eco Tourism Association (WIET) basket where tourism operators around Kia have to apply for it through the association to qualify for the funding assistance.
Last week tourism officer from Isabel provincial government and senior tourism research officer of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MTC) went down to attend a two days meeting to screen suitable recipients.
The senior research officer Laurie Leketo who just returned from Kia over the weekend told the Solomon Star yesterday they have successfully approved six operators who will receive the funds.
“We have done a very tough screening and six existing operators have been approved for the funding.
“These six successful applicants should get their funding from West Isa Eco Tourism Association anytime from now,” Mr Leketo said.
Leketo said the screening was based on a merit of each tourism operators and how successful they have operated so far.
“Most of these operators are existing ones around the Kia area who operates homestay to village stay. The selection was done by ten members of the association including two of us,” Mr Leketo said.
The West Isa Eco Tourism Association was formed early last year representing most of the operators in Kia.
By DENVER NEWTER
