Fascinating
p. 67 · Read in the full issue
Solomons
From a Suva correspondent "In all my years of travelling, I can honestly say I have never ex perienced a more fascinating week, seeing sights I never expected.
There’s nothing commercialised about Honiara. And in the villages the culture is as it was hundreds of years ago.”
That’s Mrs. Iris Hunt, of Fiji travel, talking about the possibilities of Solomon’s travel. She had just returned from Honiara after setting up the first overseas office of Hunts of the Pacific. It’s the first of a series of overseas offices planned by the company, which is Fiji’s biggest travel agency. Mrs. Hunt also formed a new subsidiary, Hunts of the Pacific (Solomon Islands) Ltd.
Keithie Tours of Honiara (Guadal canal) have been absorbed and its directors, Bruce and Keithie Saunders are now operations managers for the Hunts company.
Mr. Paul Brown, owner of the Mendana Travel Service, is managing director.
Mrs. Iris Hunt predicts that the Solomons will prove an unexpectedly popular “off the beaten track” tourist attraction.
In Fiji, Hunts has also appointed a new director of operations, who has the responsibility for tour and transport. He is master mariner and former managing director of National Cash Register in New Zealand, Cap tain Terry Steeper.
He is also hoping to see the development of a locally-owned regional cruise industry, and has registered a company called MMMS (South Pacific) Ltd.—which stands for management marketing and marine services.
“Some of the objects are to offer business management and survey facilities, marketing, marine and commercial services and employment assistance,” Captain Steeper explains.
“We will also advise and guide investors in the cruise business. At present, cruise operations in the South West Pacific are entirely in the hands of overseas investors.
“A locally-owned inter-island cruise operation seems a natural next step for Fiji tourism.”
More than one company has shown interest in establishing a regional cruise operation, with a vessel based in Suva. The question now is who will make the first public announcement about it.