BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Guadalcanal provincial government prioritises the promotion of tourism industry in the province.

This is one of the key sectors the provincial government encourages and is working on to benefit people in the province.

Premier of Guadalcanal province, William Atu recently highlighted the progress Guadalcanal province is making to promote the industry.     

“The Guadalcanal provincial government has made progress in promoting tourism by participating in regional events, supporting rural tour operators and developing a new tourism destination like nature and cultural tours.

“It has also begun community awareness programmes and is working to revive the Guadalcanal Tour Association and partner on projects such as the Bloody Ridge Peace Park,” he said.

However, the premier stated that key challenges such as; poor infrastructure, high transport costs, limited funding, understaffing and others still remain.

He admitted that these issues continue to hinder tourism growth and investment across the province.

Looking into the future, the Atu government plans to finalize tourism development plans by 2026-2027.

This will pave way for the establishment of Guadalcanal Tourism Council and strengthen partnership with stakeholders.

On the same note, the premier highlighted the need to increase funding and staffing to the province and improve access to remote areas to fully realise Guadalcanal’s tourism potentials.

He mentioned that Guadalcanal province still houses some of the most endangered and endemic species in the country.

“And they are still open to explore by tourists of different categories or people who are interested to see what the province has and can offer,” Atu said.

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