BY CHRIS ALEX

The Central Province Tourism Operators Association (CPTOA) held its executive committee meeting yesterday in Honiara, marking a significant step forward since the revitalisation of the Association in February 2025.

The meeting serves as an update for executive members on the progress made over the past months, including the growth in membership.

So far, the Association has nine registered members, with more tourism operators expected to join in the coming months.

CPTOA was established to represent tourism operators in Central Province and drive forward the collective goals of its members.

During the meeting, the executive committee finalised the development of the Association’s Work Plan for 2026, identifying key priority areas for the upcoming year.

“These priorities reflect our commitment to building a stronger tourism industry in Central Province.

“We want to ensure our members are supported through capacity building and that our tourism products meet industry standards,” said Central Province Tourism Operators Association Treasurer- Richard Sapia

The key priority areas for 2026 include:

-Training programs for members

-Tourism product development

-Hosting and supporting events

-Fundraising drives

-Stakeholder and partner engagement

The 2026 Work Plan will be formally endorsed by the executive committee before being presented to stakeholders for consultation and alignment.

As a registered body, CPTOA remains committed to working closely with stakeholders and partners to enhance the tourism industry in Central Province.

The Association also encourages more tourism operators in the province to register and become members.

“This is an opportunity to work together to grow our industry. Through collaboration and shared goals, we can achieve more for our communities and our economy,” Sapia added.

Meetings with key stakeholders and partners are being planned for the coming months to share the Association’s 2026 priorities and ensure alignment across the tourism sector.

Photo: Richard Sapia

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