Solomon Islands has been given a Scuba Diving Magazine 2027 Readers Choice Award at the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) show in New Orleans, Tourism Solomons said.
The national tourist office said in a statement on 4 November that the award places Solomon Islands among the world's top dive destinations. It described DEMA as the largest scuba diving event in the world.
Tourism Solomons Head of Sales and Marketing Fiona Teama and Marketing Officer Eldona Lokay were in New Orleans to receive the award, which was presented by PADI Media Group Director Jeff Mondle.
Teama said she and her team were thankful to the readers and divers who voted for Solomon Islands.
"This recognition means the world to us," she said.
Solomon Islands had long been a destination for underwater explorers, from its coral reefs and Second World War wrecks to its marine biodiversity, Teama said. What made diving in the country special were its local communities, its dive operators and the hospitality of its people, who worked to protect and share the ocean, she said.
Teama said the award belonged to them.
Tourism Solomons said the country is regularly voted into the top award tiers for its diverse marine ecosystems, its cave diving and its underwater photography sites.
Previous wins have come in the Best Wreck Diving, Best Shore Diving, Best Value and Best Macro Life categories, the office said.
It said the Solomon Islands liveaboard vessels Emperor Bilikiki and Solomons Master also regularly place highly in their own classifications.
The statement was released by Mike Parker-Brown, public relations consultant for Tourism Solomons.