BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has been urged to strengthen the tourism sector of the country.

The call cited tourism policies announced by GNUT as part of its 100 days plan being without any tangible progress.

Speaking in parliament this week, Opposition Leader Matthew Wale said in the tourism sector, policies were announced but with little tangible progress.

“The 100-day policy promises of strengthening community-based tourism, empowering youth entrepreneurs, and advancing cultural preservation remain largely unfulfilled.

“The Solomon Holiday campaign was launched, but visitor numbers have not improved.

“Key policy and legislative reforms are delayed, and the promised 5-Year Tourism Roadmap remains incomplete.

“Critical infrastructure investments, including new hotels, resorts and upgraded transport links, were announced,” he said.

Wale said although, nobody expects these to materialize in 100 days, there is an expectation that there is significant progress made towards commencing them.

He mentioned that despite increased international marketing efforts, the real growth in the sector remains elusive.

“The rebranding exercise and marketing of Solomon Islands as a tourist destination has been a terrible failure.

“The mark of success is tourist arrival numbers and that tells an undeniable story.

“When something hasn’t worked for many years, and we keep repeating it, it makes a mockery of us.

“Without serious targeted investment and focused delivery, tourism will remain an untapped promise, not the pillar of national growth we want it to be,” Wale said.

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