The close-knit Solomon Islands tourism industry is in mourning following the death of Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto who passed away in Suva, Fiji, on Tuesday, 21 September.
Mr Tuamoto had recently returned to Fiji to be close to family while he recuperated following a recent bout of ill health.
Announcing the sad news, Tourism Solomons board chairman, Chris Hapa said the national tourist office team was devastated by the loss of their beloved ‘Boss’ who has been in the CEO role since joining the then Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau in 2013.
“There can be no doubt Jo has had a massive impact on the Solomon Islands tourism industry in his time here,” Mr Hapa said.
“We were very fortunate when he accepted an offer to join us in 2013, his reputation on the regional tourism scene, and particularly the impact he achieved for the Fiji tourism sector on a world-wide basis while CEO of Tourism Fiji, more than preceded him.
“Jo leaves a huge legacy. In his time with us, we have seen the Solomon Islands tourism sector grow exponentially.
“Tourism today is a major contributor to the national economy, in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period we saw international visitation increase by close on 10 per cent on a year-on-year basis and Jo’s guidance in the creation of ongoing international marketing campaigns has seen our tiny country now recognised as a major player on the regional tourism stage.
One of Mr Tuamoto’s more high-profile achievements for the national tourist office came in 2018 when he was the driving force behind the move to re-brand the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau to Tourism Solomons.
“That move and the concurrent launch of the extremely well-received and highly distinctive ‘Solomons Is.’ branding, truly positioned us as a force to be reckoned with on the international tourism stage.
“There can be no ifs or buts about it, Jo will be sorely missed by everyone who has had the opportunity to work with him in the Solomon Islands – and beyond – in the last eight years.
“We shall miss his intelligence, his strong leadership and statesman-like qualities just as much as we will miss him for his humour, kindness and true humility.
“Our sincerest condolences go out to his wife, Unaisi, his four children and grandchild.”
As former CEO of Tourism Fiji, Mr Tuamoto’s vast overseas experience with the Fijian national tourist office included stints as Regional Director for both Australia and The Americas prior to his appointment to the dual CEO and international marketing director roles in 2008.
While with Tourism Fiji Mr Tuamoto was the catalyst and took personal management responsibility for the international re-positioning of Fiji’s international tourism profile under the highly successful ‘Fiji Me’ branding.
He replicated that success on behalf of the Solomon Islands in mid-2018 as the driving force behind the move to re-brand Tourism Solomons and launch the extremely well-received and highly distinctive ‘Solomons Is.’ branding.
Mr Tuamoto’s activity on the regional tourism landscape includes the role of deputy chair for the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.
In May 2019, he achieved even stronger recognition for the Solomon Islands when he was invited to join the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) executive board.
On the commercial front, his experience included Director of Commercial Operations and a managing director role with the iconic Fiji-based Blue Lagoon Cruises.
He has also acted as a senior consultant to government bodies and major private sector organisations in several countries across the South Pacific region.
This included playing a pivotal marketing role in the 2012 successful re-election campaign on then Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill.
A graduate in mathematics and physics from the University of the South Pacific, Mr Tuamoto held an MBA from the University of Wales in Cardiff.
He also completed management studies at Harvard Business School in Massachusetts, the Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania, and the University of Hawaii.
