The Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo, MP, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands will officially open the Our Telekom National Tourism Forum taking place at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on 29 August.
The Prime Minister heads an impressive line up of keynote speakers representing the government, local and overseas tourism industry representatives and the corporate sector at the event.
Solomon Islands Director of Tourism and chairman of the Our Telekom National Tourism Forum planning committee, Barney Sivoro said having the Prime Minister address the event fully underlined the government’s commitment and vision in promoting and developing tourism for the Solomon Islands.
“The Prime Minister and his government have made it very clear that a key component of the overall blueprint for the future of Solomon Islands tourism is to see the sector become the prime source of our country’s foreign exchange earnings within the next 10 years,” Mr Sivoro said.
“This key forum is expected to act as a catalyst for the future implementation of the changes seen as necessary to transform and lift tourism in fulfilment of the government’s expectation and ultimately, to the benefit of all Solomon Islanders.”
Speakers include: Central Bank of Solomon Islands governor, Denton Rarawa; Our Telekon CEO, Loyley Nigira; Pacific Asia Travel Association regional director, Chris Flynn; Solomon Airlines CEO, Captain Ron Sumsum; Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau CEO, Josefa Tuamoto; Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Waikato Management School, Waikato University, New Zealand, Charlie Panakera; Solomon Islands National Provident Fund Manager Investment, Michael Wate; National Fisheries Development, general manager, Frank Wickham; Solomon Islands Ports Authority acting CEO, Jane Waetara – (Acting CEO); and Stollznow Research director (Australia), Neil Stollznow.
Source: Press Release, Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau