Displaying items by tag:Tourism Solomons

Tourism Solomons (TS) has appointed Andrew Nihopara as its new chief executive officer. TS board chairman, Tony Langston says Nihopara’s extensive regional experience, strategic leadership and established profile across the Asia-Pacific tourism sector will be a significant asset as Solomon Islands seeks to strengthen its international tourism presence.

Selling combination trips to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for adventurous clients is a small but growing opportunity for the New Zealand trade, according to Julie Rice, GM of Airline Marketing in New Zealand.

Airline Marketing represents Solomon Airlines here which provides flights from Auckland and through to Port Vila which can be used as a stepping stone to Honiara as well as (working with airline partners) connecting through Brisbane to the Solomons.

‘The destinations are so different and clients can really see another side of the Pacific by visiting both. We’re definitely starting to have agents ask about combining the two.’

Rice’s comments came during a media lunch hosted by Tourism Solomons at Fish in Hilton Auckland last Friday, where representatives from the tourist office emphasised the need for the trade to understand the destination’s key selling points and make sure it is matched to the right kind of customer.

While the move to Alert Level 1 will further stimulate domestic travel – something which has at least given a flicker of life to some agents and brokers – the industry continues to call for urgent attention to paid to trans Tasman travel and other safe border openings.

Tourism Solomons wants to see more New Zealand product managers at its annual trade show next year.

The Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara faces the divers’ treasure trove of Ironbottom Sound, a stretch of water between the main island of Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island.