THE first tourist boat to visit the country landed yesterday at Point Cruz.
MV Europa carried more than 130 tourists who grazed the streets yesterday in the one-day visit.
The tourists were taken to various attraction and memorial sites in and around the city.
The boat left Point Cruz yesterday afternoon to Bike Island in the Central Province before travelling to Gizo today.
From Gizo, she will continue her voyage to Papua New Guinea and then to Manila.
MV Europa landed at Santa Ana before voyaging to Honiara.
Destination Solomons boss Wilson Maelaua who arranged the visitation said it was a very good start.
“The tourists really enjoyed their day’s visit. The historical sites gave them a good reason for their visit including the natural beauty and warm climate of the country.”
Mr Maelau, former CEO of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau said the tours were successful.
“We must encourage tourists to our country by welcoming them to our towns with our warm greetings and smiles.
“They are people from different worlds who want to enjoy their time in places that worth their money and time.
“As such, if we mistreat them, the country’s image will not be good in the outside tourism world and that will discourage more tours to our Islands.”
