Caption: L-R, Mr Cornelius Walegerea, Minister Counsellor (SIHC), Stella Lucas (SIVB, H.E Joy Kere, High Commissioner (SIHC) and Mr Jo Tuamoto (CEO-SIVB)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB), Mr Jo Tuamoto visited the Solomon Islands High Commission on Thursday 22nd February. He was accompanied by Stella Lucas. Both met with the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Her Excellency, Mrs Joy Kere and the Minister Counsellor, Mr Cornelius Walegerea.
Her Excellency, High Commissioner Kere welcome the CEO of SIVB and his staff and thanked them for availing their time to visit the High Commission after their programme in Auckland.
During the meeting, Her Excellency, provided a brief on the work of the High Commission on behalf of the Solomon Islands government in New Zealand and also the assistance provided by New Zealand to Solomon Islands under its bilateral aid programme. She stressed that New Zealand has contributed a lot in Solomon Islands and we do acknowledge their assistance. She echoed the assistance that New Zealand has provided in the Aviation Sector as one of the projects that has direct benefit in supporting tourism in the country and one that SIVB relates well with. High Commissioner Kere further adds, although the support by the New Zealand government for the Munda International Airport comes under the National led government, it is pleasing to note that there is no change by the new Labour led government in New Zealand. This is good news for Solomon Islands and the High Commission continue to work closely with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to follow up on the project.
Mr Jo acknowledge the High Commissioner for the warm welcome and provided a brief on the work that SIVB does in terms of its marketing and promotion strategies. While Solomon Islands faces huge challenge with other Pacific Island countries such as Fiji, Vanuatu and others as far as tourist destination is concern, Mr Jo stressed that for Solomon Islands, the strength is “we do have the niche market”. Other countries might have already exhausted all that they have and offer because they face the huge challenge in meeting the high demand. This prompted these countries to resort to cheap products which are not authentic. However, in Solomon Islands, “the culture is still there, the products that we offer remain authentic and not artificial…we are working on other areas such as wedding occasions and to make weddings in the Solomon’s with a difference”, Mr Jo stated.
It was a very productive meeting and the High Commissioner thanked the CEO for visiting the High Commission and inform that the High Commission continue to promote Solomon Islands in various events and activities in New Zealand. She also thanked CEO Jo for the SIVB brochures as this will certainly assist in promoting Solomon Islands as a tourist destination in New Zealand.