Solomon Islands Tourism Industry Association (SITIA) on Wednesday successfully conducted their annual general meeting (AGM) at Mendana Hotel.
One of the activities was the election of the SITIA new executive committee members.
Speaking on behalf of the government during the opening of the annual general meeting, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism John Wasi said, he was pleased to inform that the DCC government in its policy strongly emphasis tourism production as a productive sector of this country.
“The government also promotes the public-private sector partnership for development. These commitments by the government for tourism sector only manifest the desire to turn these potential into reality and sustainability and sustainable development growth for Solomon Islands
“The engine for the growth in any country is the private sectors. Tourism developments in Solomon Islands depend on private sector like the Solomon Islands Tourism Industry Association (SITIA).
“Forging strong partnership with you is very important, In fact my ministry is encouraged to see the revival of SITIA because our efforts to implement the national strategy plan depends mainly on the partnership we forged with relevant tourism industries.
“You are an important partner and I challenged all of us to work proactively peruse what is of common interest to us and this nation.”
Director of Tourism Barney Sivoro Director of Tourism urges SITIA to organise themselves and go to Ministry and provide action plans and strategies for SITIA so the Ministry of Tourism can support and direct their focus accordingly.
Speaking on behalf of Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) Chairman Wilson Neé highlighted the work of the bureau and encouraged the association with expectations that SIVB want to see from the association.
“SIVB expects SITIA to be a robust tourism body that provides the government with necessary feedbacks and statistics data for government to implement its roles and function in tourism an association to provide support for its members, to be a politic mouth piece for its members so assisting in finance and human resource support for its members.”
In his maiden speech newly elected President Belani Tekulu, Managing Director of Red Manson Inn said, Solomon Islands Tourism Industry Association is here to work, there’s always been a missing link between government and tourism operators.
“The missing link now is in place there will be a close working together with government Ministry of Tourism, SIVB with other interested associates to make sure that tourism is truly the future of Solomon Island.
“I call upon all tourism stakeholders for your cooperation and the SITIA executive committee is looking forward for a closer cooperation.
“Gone are the days where everybody wants to see tourism individually, it’s time to work together to make Solomon Islands a tourism Destination.”
The newly elected SITIA President called on all provincial stakeholders to involve themselves with this association more aggressively since tourism in Solomon Islands in out in the provinces
“Therefore all stakeholders you must your feet down by making connection with the association firmly by constant consultation and collaborations with the association as this new SITIA executive is going be a result orientated executive in everything we do.
“My executive pledge the association’s support with SIVB, in terms of meeting commitments towards the Bureau.
“On behalf of the newly elected committee I would also like to thank the outgoing interim committee for their great effort in taking the association this far, Solomon Islands Tide project, EIF within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Trade for sponsoring the event.”
– SITIA Media
