SOLOMONS ATTEND GLOBAL STRATEGIC TOURISM PATHWAY AT DUBAI EXPO

Solomon Island was represented an International Tourism Forum organized by the Italy Ministry of Tourism at the Italy Pavilion on Monday January 10 on the theme titled ‘New Frontiers of Sustainable Tourism’.

Deputy Commissioner General Mr Dennis Marita and Team Leader Product Marketing Mr Garred Porowai represented Solomon Islands at the Forum upon invitation from the host country.

Italy’s Minister for Tourism Mr Massimo Garavaglia in his opening address to the more than 50 industry stakeholders and invited guests said that the dramatic consequences of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Tourism recovery presents a best opportunity to re-think Tourism development models.

Mr Garavaglia added that Italy and the Emirate of Dubai economies decisively relied upon Tourism and could also lead this new approach to tourist’s experience.

The forum further explored two main components of the tourist chain: travel accommodation and visitor experience.

DCG Marita said for a developing Pacific Island Country (PICS) like the Solomon Islands, the sustainability of the Tourism industry depends on the ability to transversely build greener means of transport as well as take care of the bearability of accommodation.

“Whilst our neighboring Pacific Island tourist destinations like Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga continue to reel from the unexpected impacts of the Pandemic, we must also endeavor to remain engaged with both our traditional and global tourism markets in closely collaborating with the relevant stakeholders to help find a global solution that will assist in a return to normalcy for our dwindling tourist arrival numbers”.

Team Leader Product Marketing Mr Garred Porowai said that Tourism Solomons was looking forward to establishing a Green Lane Tourism pathway in the near future. The outcomes of the one-day Forum were also intended to explore new ways to make tourism experience more immersive and full-round such as Slow Tourism and Soft Mobility as well as Experience Travel and Digital