Tourism Solomons ‘very much still here’ at Virtual PATA MART 2021

Honiara, Solomon Islands – The Solomon Islands’ international visitation may currently be at a standstill but this has not stopped Tourism Solomons and local tourism partners reaching out ‘virtually’  to remind the world “we are very much still  here.”

The tourism team – including Solomon Airlines, Bilikiki Cruises, Dive Munda, Travel Solomons and Uepi Island Resort – is ‘attending’ the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s ‘Virtual PATA MART 2021’ one of the world’s most high-profile travel industry events, which, being beamed from China,  started on 02 September and attracts hundreds of participants.

It will be a busy time for the team with scheduled appointments including one-on-one meetings with travel representatives from Argentina, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the Middle East, North America, both Eastern and Western Europe, and the South Pacific.

Virtual PATA MART 2021 offers participants two full business days of one-on-one meetings from 02-03 September followed by  two ‘trade visitor’ days on 04-05 September.

Format additionally includes interactive networking-breaks and special sessions from various national tourism organisations.

Tourism Solomons head of sales and marketing, Fiona Teama said the event offered the perfect occasion for the Solomon Islands to reassert its presence on the world tourism stage.

“With international borders closed for the foreseeable future, we need to constantly remind the world that we are very much still here,” Ms Teama said.

“And not only that we are here, but also ready to welcome guests thanks to the efforts of our amazing tourism industry which has been extremely hard at work since the borders closed, making sure that we are ready to go once that day arrives.”