Welcome to the February issue of Solomon Islands Tourism on-line newsletter. The year has begun with a lot of exciting developments for tourism in Solomon Islands. A new airline from Australia will begin in March with its service to Honiara to compete with the national airline, Solomon Airlines. Honiara’s current premier hotel is near to complete their renovation project and a group of well known surfers to visit Solomon Islands.

Mendana Renovations

New Australian Airline flies to Solomon Islands

SkyAirWorld will be operating its first flight from Brisbane to Honiara on the 3rd of March. SkyAirWorld chief executive David Charlton says the first flight is already fully booked with tourists and business people. This is the first time for SkyAirWorld to operate flights to the Solomon Islands and Mr Charlton says they have decided to invest in the Solomon Islands because the country has potential to develop tourism given the right support and infrastructure. Mr Charlton also stated that the airline industry is an important player in the tourism industry and although there are hotels coming up there needs to be an improvement in the airline services. They are planning to operate five flights a week but hope to increase to six by the end of March. This will definitely increase the number of visitors and tourist visiting the Solomon Islands. Charlton also said that some holiday packages will include fares and the cost of staying at resorts. Pacifica Travel is the SkyAirWorld agent in Honiara and is located at the King Solomon Hotel. For more information and online booking you can go to their website on www.skyairworld.com

Meanwhile, Solomon Airlines are welcoming their new competitors. They have introduced their special Wantok fares that are valid for a year for their Brisbane routes and plan to reintroduce its popular Belama business class. Solomon Airlines also plans to replace the OzJet Boeing 737-200 with a Boeing 737- 300. With the bigger plane flight time will cut from 3hrs 30 minutes to just 3hrs. Also reintroducing in March are their friendly Solomon Islanders as cabin crew.

According to Solomon Airlines Chief executive Ron Sumsum at this stage SkyAirWorld does not appear to be having an impact. Solomon Airlines also operate 4 flights a week to Brisbane and a new Sydney via Port Vila service every Friday. Solomon Airlines currently charters OzJet and Air Vanuatu aircrafts to service their flights.

For more information, visit their website on www.flysolomons.com.

World Top Surfers Visit Solomon Islands

From March 4-11, three of the world’s top surfers will visit the Solomon Islands to surf some of the world’s best surf. The three surfers are US’s Benji Weatherley and Australians Sean Harrington and Brent Dorrington They will be visiting at the invitation of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau. These surfing draw cards will be accompanied by Australia’s major surf magazine, Waves, world renown surf photographer “Bosko” and major media outletes: Sydney’s The Sun Herald, News Limited’s Sunday Mail on Adelaide and Courier Mail in Brisbane as well as the number one surf website in Australia, coastalwatch.com which has millions of hits per month. Also accompanying this group will be a cameraman who will film a DVD for SIVB and Waves Magazine which will be issued to all readers of the magazine.

Michael Tokuru, General Manager of Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau said “We have invited this elite group to the Solomons to dicover just how uncrowded and perfect our surf breaks are, in order to publicize our home to the world’s fastest growing niche market-surf tourism.” Mr Tokuru said “There are now over 10 million surfers worldwide and a third of these are cashrich, time-poor and hence potential clients for the Solomon Islands. From this group of surfers, we will certainly generate excellent exposure and awareness of the Solomon Islands as one of the last uncrowded surf bastions.”

Benji Weatherley is revered all over the world for his abilities on a surfboard. He has been a favorite in surf films by Taylor Steele and in Greg Browning’s “Drive Thru” series. Residing in Hawaii and Encinitas, California as well as traveling the globe, Benji will contribute to R&D at ANON Optics. His other sponsors include Analog Clothing and Gravis Footwear.

SIVB New Board of Directors

SIVB has a New Board of Directors for 2008. The new Chairman of the Board is Sir Tommy Chan and the Vice Chairman is Mr. Wilson Maelaua. Members of the Board are: Mr. Wilson Ne’e, Mr. Barney Sivoro, Mr. Paul Fia, Mr. Ashley Teika, Ms. Cathrine Pule, Mr. Mockson Aron and Mr Noel Mamau.

Meanwhile, Honorable Seth Gukuna is now the new Minister for Culture and Tourism after the new government came into power. He replaces the late Bently Samuel Ragosomani from the previous government. Honorable Gukuna have expressed of his great support for developing further the tourism industry in the Solomon Islands.

SIVB plans more Travel Shows

Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau has outlined a number of Travel Shows to be attended this year. More marketing effort is still concentrated on its awareness and image to its short haul markets such as Australia and New Zealand. However, SIVB will also be participating in ITB Berlin from 5-9 March and PATA Travel Mart 2008 in Hyberdad, India in September under the South Pacific Village for meeting with Travel Trade for long haul markets. Attended in February by SIVB’s Karen Foimua was the Auckland Flight Centre Expo and the Adventure Backpackers Xpo in Melbourne by Nelson Manepura. In March will be the Sydney Holiday and Travel Expo from the 15-16 March and ITB Berlin which Solomon Islands will be represented by SIVB’s Marketing Manager Karen Foimua, and Ross Hepworth, Managing Director of Tourism Solomon Ltd. SIVB constantly encourage local operators to participate under the Solomon Islands exhibitions stand at the travel shows.

Solomon Host launches website

Solomon Host launched its website on the 9th of Feb 2008. The website was launched by the General Manger of SIVB Michael Tokuru and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Solomon Host is a new initiative aimed to improve quality services in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. Solomon Host is a first of its kind in the Solomon Islands. It provides services such as quality and professional advice, training, awareness and mentoring for existing operators.

They also provide consultation services for new Tourism and Hospitality projects which includes hotels, motels and eco-tourism lodges and many more. Its training programs are recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and SIVB.

For information visit their site www.solomonhost.com.sb

Renovations at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel

The Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel has undergone renovations which started in April 2007 and hopefully to be completed by the end of March 2008.

According to Anna Laumea Mendana Hotel’s Administration Manager the area which used to be a restaurant and bar has been renovated into a three level rise building. This additional building will cater for 18 new suites on the top level, 2 conference rooms on the 2nd floor and 2 restaurants will occupy the ground floor. The two restaurants will specialize in Western and Japanese food. The 18 suites are bigger than the current executive suites so once opened the new suites will be executive suites while the old ones will become deluxe suites.

This is only the first phase of renovations and reconstruction to the hotel. The second phase will include the kitchen area and bar on the sea front. Laumea also stated that currently they are fully booked and the increase in rooms will aid their growing demand.