Minister Sets Transformation Agenda for Solomon Islands Tourism Sector

Honiara, Solomon Islands – Minister for Culture and Tourism, the Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas has reaffirmed the government‘s “unwavering commitment” to advancing tourism as a key driver of the Solomon Islands’ national economic transformation.

Addressing the more than 100 delegates attending MCT/Tourism Solomons ‘Strategic Transition’ themed Tourism in Focus 2026 conference at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel on Thursday, the Minister expressed her deep gratitude to operators, investors, service providers, and partners for what she described as their steadfast support across the industry’s most challenging years.

“We have faced numerous challenges—from internal factors to global shocks, including the devastating impacts of COVID-19 yet through all this, you have stood firm,” the Minister said.

“Your resilience and confidence in tourism have kept it afloat during difficult times.

(And) because of your collective efforts, I am confident the industry is now regaining momentum and entering a new phase of growth.”

The Minister also emphasised, consistent with increasing budget allocation to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, tourism remains one of the Government’s key strategic sectors for driving economic transformation,.

“Our investment priorities clearly show that tourism is central to our development agenda,” the Minister said.

“We aim to increase visitor arrivals through targeted marketing, strengthen our destination image, and significantly, grow the sector’s contribution to GDP and foreign exchange earnings.”

Reflecting on the event’s theme, the Minister called for a collective shift from recovery to transformation, and from fragmented approaches to coordinated, long-term partnerships.

“’Strategic Transition’ means collaboration, innovation, improved governance, and shared responsibility,” she said.

“It calls on us to build models that respect resource ownership while unlocking opportunity.”

Pictured Minister Choylin Yim Douglas with (pictured on her left) MCT Permanent Secretary Bunyan Sivoro and (pictured on her right) Solomon Airlines newly- appointed CEO Matthew Findlay and members of the Tourism Solomons and Solomon Airlines teams attending Tourism in Focus 2026.