Tourism: ’79
p. 63 · Read in the full issue
Ratings
Pacific News, the bulletin of the Pacific Islands Travel As sociation (PATA) has carried the 1979 figures for tourists arrivals (foreign visitors re maining 24 hours or longer) for the main tourist destinations of the South and Central Pacific.
Micronesia easily tops the list for increased tourism over 1978: up a remarkable 87.5%, with 123 326 visitors compared with 65 819 the previous year.
Another impressive increase was recorded by Western Samoa: 31.9% (49 886 as against 37 814).
Highest absolute number of visitors was recorded by Guam: 264 326, up 13.5% over the figure of 232 922 in ’7B.
Other increases were re corded by American Samoa 18.5%, Cook Islands 15%, New Caledonia 5.9%, New Hebrides 11.6%, Papua New Guinea 3.1%, Solomon Islands 15.1%, Tahiti 7.7%, and Tonga 6.7%.
Of the countries listed, only Fiji registered a drop: down 12.1% from 214 624 in 1978 to 188 740 in ’79.
John Rounds, Lee and Partners, a Fiji-based firm of architects, has been chosen by the Pacific Forum countries to design the headquarters for the Forum Fisheries Agency. Picture shows the architect’s drawing for the building complex which will be in Honiara, Solomon Islands. At the right is the secretariat building which will include a library, a legal section and computer facilities in ad dition to the administrative headquarters. At the left is a convention centre which will have facilities for delegates, advisers and observers. The buildings will cost about $500 000, financed by Pacific Forum countries.