The tourism project aims to promote Solomon Islands as a distinct visitors’ destination in the Pacific region. The goal is to improve collaboration between line ministries, the private sector, tourism operators and NGOs.

Results

• Provincial consultations with tourism stakeholders were carried out to review tourism legislation and regulation, and this has included the participation of women entrepreneurs and youth to discuss ways to overcome the challenges they face, including the lack of market places.
• Has provided four grants to innovative eco-tourism entrepreneurs, three of whom are women. These women working with grassroots organizations are engaged at both the low end of the tourism value chain (producing for hotels and airlines) and the high end (selling handicrafts to tourists).Policy initiatives and strategies have been adopted to increase the participation of women and youth in the tourism sector in order to decrease poverty in rural communities. Currently, women entrepreneurs are key stakeholders and actively represented through the Solomon Islands Women in Business Association in the tourism project technical working group, together with Donors like the European Union.
• The project has also facilitated the mapping of the whole tourism value chain and made it available online, for the very first time, as a marketing and research tool. This will assist in connecting sellers to consumers online, including women in rural areas.

• Completed the Solomon Islands Visitors Guide, including maps, accommodation listings and suggested activities.

• 38 students enrolled under the Certificate Tourism and Travel Program at the Solomon Islands National University participated in internships at hotels, field trips and practicums.

• 19 tourism operators attended a bookkeeping training enabling local operators to acquire the skills and knowledge in proper bookkeeping management.

• Access to new tracking software increased the Tourism Department’s research and information sharing capacities.

• The Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau is now marketing small and medium operators through its online portal.