The chairman of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB), Wilson Ne’e has called on both the governments of the Solomon Islands and Fiji to urgently resolve the current impasse between Solomon Airlines and Fiji Airways.
The SIVB chairman’s comment follows the release of Solomon Islands National Statistics figures which show the number of international visitor arrivals has for the second quarter of 2015 has declined when compared to 2014.
“Huge efforts have gone into creating positive awareness of the Solomon Islands in our key international source markets and re-instil confidence following the April floods” Mr Ne’e said.
“But in essence and despite these efforts, we are now experiencing low international visitor arrivals and the long drawn out dispute between Solomon Airlines and Fiji Airways is having a major effect, particularly on our North American visitation.
“As a result of this, our local operators – and our overseas partners selling the Solomon Islands – are hurting.
“And you can put your finger firmly on the current airline impasse as having a direct impact.
“It is time for common sense to prevail and I call on both countries governments and both airlines to resolve this protracted situation as quickly as possible”.
