WITH the reopening of the international borders as of next month tourism sector is all gearing up to welcome back overseas guests and visitors into the ‘Hapi Isles.’
As part of the preparatory work a series of Minimum Standards Tourism Extra Care Programs and Trainings have been conducted around the country in a number of provinces.
The recent training was conducted for some tourism operators in Rennell, Renbel Province.
A statement from Tourism Division under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said, tourism operators and workers attended two trainings in Lake Tenggano, East Rennell and Tingoa, West Rennell recently.”
Participants included owner, staff and workers of these tourism service providers on that island.
The training was conducted by the Tourism COVID-19 Extra Care training team. These included two trainers from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
Rolly Viga is representing the health ministry.
The statement from the Tourism Division said this is a part of a collective effort of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, and Tourism Solomons to prepare the tourism industry players towards the reopening of the Solomon Islands borders on July 1, 2022.
The division also thanked the Strongim Bisnis of Australia for its generous financial support towards the implementation of those trainings.
Few months ago, tourism operators and their staff in Malaita, Central, Western and Isabel have undergone similar trainings.
The program has been developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By following the guidelines outlined tourism business can create in a safe and limit the spread of the Covid-19.
These guidelines have been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health and closely follow international Covid safe practices.
Business and individuals have suffered severe economic hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The tourism industry is one of the hardest hit sectors as travel has been restricted since early 2020.
The nation needs tourism business to operate to keep our economy afloat, thus, the government has announced the reopening of international borders in a fortnight.
By MOFFAT MAMU
