A LOCAL tourism operator from Northwest (NW) Guadalcanal has voiced strong criticism against responsible authorities for their negligence of critical infrastructure issues that are adversely impacting tourism in the region.
This operator highlighted the dire state of the roads as a huge barrier to the accessing of numerous tourist sites, which he said led to a decline in the number of visitor arrivals in the area and also in economic activities.
According to the operator, who requested anonymity, the deteriorating road conditions have made it increasingly difficult for tourists to reach popular destinations and this means a loss of vital income to the locals and the economy.
“The bad roads have become a major obstacle for us. Many tourists are reluctant to travel to our sites due to the risks involved in navigating these poorly maintained routes,” he said.
The tourism operator pointed out that several key attractions in North West Guadalcanal, renowned for their natural beauty and cultural significance, remain underutilised because of accessibility issues.
“These sites have so much potential to draw visitors, but without proper road access, we are unable to take advantage of what our region has to offer,” he added.
Local businesses dependent on tourism have reported a noticeable decrease in tourism activities over the past year, attributing this slide directly to the poor road conditions.
Tourism Operators argue that if the situation remains unaddressed, it could put at risk livelihoods and lead to further economic decline in an area already struggling with development challenges.
Community members and tourism operators in North West Guadalcanal are calling for immediate intervention from local and national authorities to prioritise road maintenance and development.
“We need the government to step in and invest in our infrastructure. By improving access to our tourist sites, we can attract more visitors, create jobs and stimulate the local economy,”
The Tourism Operator said he remains hopeful for a resolution and urges leaders to recognise the importance of tourism to the local and national economies.
Residents and tourism operators alike are now watching closely to see if their calls for action will be answered as they are eager to revive and enhance the attractiveness of their beautiful tourism sites.
By JIMMY NOLAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
