Honiara, Solomon Islands, 04 February 2019 – Tourism Solomons has confirmed the second annual ‘Me Save Solo’ tourism exchange will take place in Honiara on 05 July 2019.
Announcing the news, Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto said the positive feedback received from international delegates and local operators attending in 2018 more than quantified the decision to repeat the exercise.
“The inaugural event last year was an undoubted success – we attracted more than 50 international buyers from Australia, the US, Japan and Taiwan,” Mr Tuamoto said.
“This year we hope to see buyers joining us from further afield including the UK, continental Europe and other parts of Asia.
Mr Tuamoto said interest in the Solomon Islands had never been greater as evidenced by the destination’s ever-growing international visitation.
“Add to this ever-increasing interest from international wholesalers looking to add the destination to their overall South Pacific product portfolios,” he said.
“This interest is more than mirrored by our local industry colleagues keen to realise the opportunities and potential the visiting delegates hold for their various businesses.”
As in 2018, visiting buyers will be given the opportunity to stay on after the event to participate in a series of ‘beyond Honiara’ educational study tours visiting Gizo and Munda in the Western Province, Marau Sound and Malaita.
Mr Tuamoto said the essence of these programs was to both broaden the participants’ knowledge of the Solomon Islands and open their eyes to the various “destinations within the one destination” all of which offer a plethora of unique, rich and very niche travel experiences.
Venue for the 2019 event will be the Institute of Tourism in the Solomon Islands National University campus.