Disappointment with the Solomons

VISITOR standards in the Solomon Islands have some way to go before they meet the expectations of the average tourist, according to a survey released in Honiara.

Launched by the Solomon Islands Office of Tourism and the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, it reveals that tourists feel they are not getting value for money, and there is not enough information to help them. On the other hand, most visitors said they wanted the country to avoid commercialising itself.

Solomon Islands earned SI 10.8 million (SUS4.IB million) from visitors in the June 1990 year, Australia was the largest source of visitors and, together with the United States and New Zealand, it made up more than two thirds of all arrivals.

The Americans were the highest spenders, followed by the Japanese (who accounted for only 5.7 per cent of tourism receipts). Average daily spend ing was SSI 1204.

Most of the visitors surveyed said there was a need for better hotels, especially outside Honiara. Tourists wanted more beach-front hotels and resorts, better facilities in hotels, improved standards of services and prices which related to quality and standards they felt that

hotels in the Solomon Hotels were generally expensive.

There was also criticism of the poor facilities at Henderson Airport (which are due to be replaced by next year), lack of signboards and general information particularly maps and brochures; as well as bad roads and the poor quality of taxis. The survey also revealed dissatis faction with shopping, particularly duty free outlets and handicrafts.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Victor

Ngele said increased funding was being

considered for the Solomon Islands Tourist Authority, and an additional 551200,000 was possible. He also ap pealed to the private sector to do more promotion for the country. □

Solomons: Appeal in being non-commercialised