Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (SIVB) (SIVB) says Solomon Island should not follow how Fiji and Vanuatu develop their tourism industry.
SIVB board chairman, Wilson Ne’e made this remarks during the one day cruise ship meeting organised by Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) at the Heritage Parke Hotel in Honiara.
Ne’e said, Solomon Island has its own unique culture which needs to be exposed around the globe rather than copying Fiji and Vanuatu way of marketing.
“I would like to tell this meeting today (Wednesday) that Solomon Island have many unique culture still there that we need to promote it around the globe for tourists ”
“Most times we suggested to adopt marketing strategy how Fiji and Vanuatu, but that’s not supposed to happen because we have our culture which we need to promote it in our way rather than copying Fiji and Vanuatu,” Ne’e said.
He further added that cruise tourism in Solomon Island is a new growing industry.
“Some tourists who have visited the Pacific have informed me that they wanted to explore new destinations like Solomon Islands, therefore I would like to tell us here today that we need to prepare ourselves to showcase our culture,” Ne’e said.
The SIVB board chairman thanked Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) government for the provision of funding commitment towards SIVB marketing strategy.
“This would help SIVB carryout marketing approach locally and internationally as well as organising events during cruise ship arrival in Honiara,” Ne’e said.