POOR PROVINCIAL AIRSTRIPS AFFECT TOURISM BUSINESS
BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
The
poor state of Provincial airstrips is a major problem facing tourism operators
in the country.
Mereoni
Adimaisau of Tavanipupu Island Resort at Marau shared her
experience that they lost revenue due to flight cancellation and also bad
weather.
She
said, “the airstrip at Marau is a problem because if its wet the plane can’t
land.”
She
says the loss of revenue affects those in remote areas.
Meanwhile
Joyce Konofilia National Consultant and Advisor in the Policy and
Implementation unit of the Prime Minister’s Office said that Government is
serious on improving the Tourism industry in the country and there are plans in
place to help develop the industry.
She
said in terms of improving infrastructure like the provincial airstrips, the
government is working on it and have been visiting certain provinces already to
upgrade the domestic airports.
“Inside
the policy unit we have different sectors and the productive sector we have the
Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Aviation, Ministry of Infrastructure
Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Lands, the reason they put
us together is because of the cross-sectoral issues that affects the development
of tourism”, Ms Konofilia explained.
Tim Lawther of Strongim Bisnis |
Timothy
Lawther of Strongim Business also said access is key to make tourism work in
Solomon Island.
Last
year the Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma during the launch of the new
roads and aviation project also highlighted that more effective air links
between provinces and with the rest of the world are important for Solomon
Islands to take advantage of tourism opportunities - but airports are also a
window to markets, services and jobs throughout the region and around the
world.
The
airport upgrades, along with the road networks present great opportunities for
the people and the economy of Solomon Islands.
This article was produced from the “Economics of Tourism” training for
journalists in Honiara funded by the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS)
in partnership with Strongim Bisnis
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