The Manger of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau stated that the non-availability of up-to-date statistics and data relating to tourism is hindering planning and promotion for this sector.

Mr Tokuru said that statistics and data for tourist arrival and other relevant information for 2004 to 2006 are incomplete.

"The lack of tourism statistical data and information in Solomon Islands has created an information gap. This situation has somehow hampered the effectiveness of authorities like the government, the Department of Tourism, SIVB, Central bank and other stakeholders too, who are being involved in tourism policy planning and development as well as marketing and promoting Solomons."

Tokuru highlighted the need to have up-to-date statistics at the launch of the International Visitors Survey in Honiara yesterday by the Stollzsnow Research team.

The last complete tourism survey to have been carried out was in 1995 by the former Tourism Council of the South Pacific, now the South Pacific Tourism Organization.