Solomon Islands seeks entry into “South Pacific Travel Bubble”

Solomon Islands has called on the Australian and New Zealand governments to ask for their active consideration in allowing the COVID-19 free island nation to be included in a potential ‘South Pacific travel bubble’ when international travel restrictions are finally lifted.

Tourism Solomon CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto, while praising the government for the proactive steps it has taken, added that Australian and New Zealand travellers could be assured of their safety when visiting the destination.

Australian and New Zealand travellers form the bulk of the country’s international visitor intake and allowing the destination to be included in the bubble would have a major impact in resetting the Solomon Islands economy which relies heavily on tourism as one of its key sources of foreign exchange earnings.

“Given the fact that tourism represents a key economic driver, it is vital we reset the sector in the shortest possible time. This really is the best way Australia and New Zealand can help us get back on our feet,” he added.

Tuamoto said it was ironic that visitor arrival statistics for January 2020 had proven one of the destination’s best starts to a year on record. He said that he was hopeful the very low instance of COVID-19 infections in New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Tahiti combined – 88 cases and zero deaths – could point towards the resumption of inter-Pacific island travel in a short time.

The Solomon Islands, a nation of hundreds of islands in the South Pacific, has many WWII-era sites. Guadalcanal, a province and one of the archipelago’s largest islands, honours fallen allied soldiers at its US War Memorial. Guadalcanal is also home to the nation’s capital, Honiara, whose bustling central market showcases the islands’ produce and traditional handicrafts.