By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Solomon Island Port Authority (SIPA) is to highlight the region’s potential as an international cruise destination at the 2014 National Tourism Forum on 29 August.
SIPA interim CEO Jane Waetara will outline the benefits of becoming an international cruise destination to more than 150 government and local tourism officials and operators.
“SIPA has drawn up major plans to modernise the Honiara wharf in order to attract and persuade large passenger shipping lines to include the Solomon Islands as part of their South Pacific cruise programmes,” said Waetara. “Many of our neighbours benefit from international cruise traffic and the positive impact they have on the local economy – from hotels, transportation providers and food and beverage suppliers to local cultural groups and even the craftsmen making souvenirs
In 2014, the Solomon Islands is expected to handle 21.7 million passengers, 55% of which will be from North America.
“The international cruise market is growing at a rate of knots with global passenger numbers estimated at 21.3 million in 2013,” said Josefa Tuamoto, CEO of Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau. “We know that there are close to 800,000 Australians and New Zealanders enjoying cruises predominantly in South Pacific waters every year. If we were to attract just a small percentage of this key visitor arrival source, the benefits for our tourism industry would be exponential.”