Isabel province has passed its $19 million 2014 development and recurrent budget during the last month assembly meeting in Buala which also included tourism budget for Isabel province.
This was revealed by Isabel Premier James Habu during a courtesy call by Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (SIVB) officials at his office last Friday in Buala.
Mr Habu said the budget was passed smoothly by assembly members and out of that $19m, a budget for tourism development was also being passed.
“My government has prioritized tourism industry as an industry that would replace logging industry in our province since logging is obviously scaling down operation around the island therefore every year we usually allocated money for tourism industry.
“And again this year we allocate tourism budget which is channelled through our tourism office in Buala that is responsible to facilitate tourism activity around the island,” Mr Habu said.
Although premier Habu did not reveal the actual amount being allocated he said the budget allocated would go towards supporting tourism operators in the province through training and other essentials tourism services.
“The money we allocated would help our operators with trainings, physical support and also operators who may think to venture into tourism industry.
“Allocation may not as what operators are expecting but we put that to indicate that our province is also concerned with this industry and hopefully with the help and support from mother ministry and SIVB I hope the industry will grow,” he said.
By DENVER NEWTER
