Solomon Islands Charts a Bold Course for Sustainable Tourism at World Governments Summit

At the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele MP stood as a passionate advocate for the Solomon Islands, sharing a bold vision for the future of tourism. His message was clear: the country is ready to transform its tourism sector into a powerful engine for sustainable growth, cultural pride, and inclusive prosperity.

Speaking at a high-level roundtable on the Future of Tourism, Prime Minister Manele emphasised the Solomon Islands’ commitment to building a tourism model that balances environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and community empowerment, while driving economic growth and job creation. To support this, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is currently developing the National Tourism Strategy for the Solomon Islands and is scheduled to launch later this year, 2025.

“Our 2035 National Development Strategy is rooted in the belief that community involvement is essential. The people of Solomon Islands are the true custodians of our islands, and their voices must be heard in shaping the future of tourism here,” said Prime Minister Manele.

As part of this new Solomon Islands’ 2035 tourism vision, the Prime Minister outlined several ambitious targets:

• Growing visitor arrivals from 28,000 to 100,000
• Increasing tourism’s GDP contribution through strategic investment and reforms
• Creating new jobs in hospitality, eco-tourism, and cultural tourism
• Developing a skilled tourism workforce, especially targeting youth and women

To support these goals, the Government has identified strategic pillars, including:

• Investment in infrastructure (airports, maritime, transport, and digital)
• Marine and cultural conservation, promoting eco-tourism and community-based projects
• Enhanced destination marketing, policy reforms, and global partnerships

The Prime Minister closed his statement with an invitation to international stakeholders:

“The World Government Summit provides a unique opportunity to form partnerships that will positively impact the global tourism landscape. We invite you to explore investment opportunities in the Solomon Islands and help us build a thriving, sustainable tourism industry that will benefit our people and the world.”

Photo Credit: Solomon Islands Government

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