Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (SIVB) is seeking additional $9 million from the national government to boost its international and local tourism marketing promotion.
Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (CEO) chief executive officer (CEO) Josefa Tuamoto highlighted this during the 2014 Our Telekom national tourism forum held at Heritage Park Hotel last Friday.
Mr Josefa said that SIVB is really looking to government’s commitment to supplement its budget for external marketing promotion.
“On our budget we are really looking to government’s commitment to supplement our budget so we can aggressively market our country overseas.
“If government can allocate at least $9m for us then that’ll be a huge step in the right direction for our future marketing promotion,” the Fijian said.
More than 200 delegates representing the length and breadth of the Solomon Islands tourism industry joined with government representatives and the private sector to discuss the challenges the Solomon Islands tourism industry faces as it moves to face the future.
However Mr Tuamoto said Solomon Islands have potentials but lack funds for promotion.
“Solomon Islands have all the resources and potential but the problem is lack of funds to support our external promotions.
“Therefore SIVB is kindly asking the government for about$9m which should enable SIVB to do its diverse international market promotions,” he said.
By DENVER NEWTER
