Telebere News

The Solomon Islands must heavily invest in the tourism sector for economic recovery, as this sector can significantly boost the country’s economy, especially in light of the setbacks caused by COVID-19 and recent civil unrest. Despite being overshadowed by its neighbours, Fiji and Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands is a hidden gem in the South Pacific, boasting pristine natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unique attractions. The recent resurgence in the tourism industry, driven by strategic marketing initiatives and celebrity endorsements, promises substantial economic and developmental benefits for the destination. Solomon Islands is a hidden gem in the South Pacific, boasting pristine natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unique attractions. According to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council on Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2023, the direct contribution of Travel and Tourism to the Solomon Islands' GDP in 2022 was SBD108.5 million (1.0% of GDP). This fi...

Tourism Solomons is celebrating a positive start to 2024, recording its highest first-quarter international visitor arrivals since 2019. According to figures released by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO), the destination welcomed a total of 4,903 visitors in the first three months of the year. This represents a 24% increase compared to the 3,940 visitors recorded during the same period in 2023.   Australia remains the leading source market, with visitor numbers climbing slightly from 1,426 to 1,484. New Zealand also showed positive growth, with arrivals rising 39% from 236 to 329. Fiji and Papua New Guinea saw similar trends, with an 11% and 84% increase in visitors, respectively. However, the United States was the only source market to experience a decline, with visitor arrivals dropping by 5% from 351 to 330. Despite falling short of the record-breaking 6,042 visitors achieved in Q1 of 2019, Tourism Solomons CEO (acting) Dagnal Dereveke remains optimistic. He...

Australia has boosted the Solomon Islands government's efforts to combat financial fraud and corruption by donating new information and communication technology (ICT) and office equipment to Task Force Janus. Task Force Janus is a collaborative intelligence operation between the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. The new equipment was handed over by Australian High Commission's First Secretary Kellie Raab, who commended the close cooperation between different government agencies that Task Force Janus exemplifies. Director Leslie Simao, Deputy Secretary Margaret Moveni, Director Narwin Lasi receiving equipment from First Secretary Kellie Raab and ASIP-Gov Team Leader, Ann Rowley. "I am glad Australia's support can help the Taskforce to work more efficiently and effectively," Ms Raab said. RSIPF Director Leslie Simao welcomed the donation, highlighting the need for new equipment since early 2023. "Australia...

Hailing from the Western Province, Solomon Islands, Elexter Junior Bulehite , also known as Elexter Jr. isn't your average rising star. With a voice seasoned by island rhythms and a heart full of pop and R&B influences, he's carving a unique path in the music scene. Music wasn't always the plan for Elexter. Though childhood dreams of becoming a pilot took flight, an unexpected feature on a local artist's song in 2011 sparked a fire within him. The recording booth became his cockpit, and he hasn't looked back since. "Hearing myself on that song, it was a whole new feeling," Elexter recalls. "I just fell in love with it." Fueled by passion and inspired by icons like Justin Bieber and James Arthur, Elexter honed his craft. Social media became his runway, where he belted out soulful covers and connected with a growing fanbase. In 2019, he took a leap of faith, releasing his debut single, "Honey." The positive feedback was his vali...

The Solomon Islands domestic shipping industry is poised for a significant upgrade thanks to a collaborative effort between Solomon Islands Shipyard Limited (SISL) and the Australian Government.  An SBD 50 million investment will see the rehabilitation of the Sasape Shipyard in Tulagi, Central Province. Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton with Officers of the Australian High Commission and Solomon Islands Shipyard Limited Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Mr. Rod Hilton, emphasized the importance of safe maritime transport for the island nation. "As a maritime nation," he said during a visit to the shipyard, "Solomon Islands relies on shipping for the movement of people and goods. This partnership with a local Tulagi business ensures Tulagi residents benefit from the shipyard's rehabilitation." Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton and General Manager Steve Maiden of Solomon Islands Shipyard Limited at Tulagi’s Sasape Shipyard...

Australia is helping create jobs for Solomon Islanders through skills and training, with seventeen young Solomon Islander women recently receiving their Australian accredited Working in Aged Care Preparation Skill Set qualifications. Nitalyn Loleke and Tanya Isiramo smiling proudly after receiving the Australian-accredited qualification which will enable them to pursue health sector jobs locally and abroad. Graduates with this qualification can pursue health sector employment opportunities in the Solomon Islands, or in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. This is the second cohort to complete the qualification under a collaborative training partnership between Australia and the Solomon Islands. Graduates with Second Secretary at Australian High Commission, Monika Betts and Director of Labour Mobility, Christina Maoma, both seated; and standing behind, APTC Country Director Abigail Chang. Speaking at the presentation ceremony Monika Betts, Second Secr...

Solomon Islands will headline the second instalment of the special 2-part television event, Adventure All Stars “LEGENDS 2”. From Sunday, May 12 to Thursday, May 16 – in partnership with Tourism Solomons and the Ministry of Culture & Tourism – 12 authentic and philanthropic cast from across Australia will fly from Brisbane to Honiara with the assistance of Solomon Airlines to experience the best of the Solomon Islands. Filming of the second instalment of Adventure All Stars “LEGENDS 2” will see the 12 cast members take part in activities in and around Honiara including hiking the Tenaru Water Falls, visiting Hotomai Cultural Village, swimming with dolphins on Savo Island, Kokama rafting, cultural dance performances at Roderick Bay and snorkeling at Maravaghi Island.   Cast and crew will be accommodated in luxury at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara. T he Adventure Allstars in action recently in Mandurah, Western Australia Before filming each of the “LEGENDS 2” TV cast memb...

My recent trip to Munda, a coastal town in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, was unlike any other. While the islands' beauty is undeniable, a chance encounter left a lasting impression, forcing me to confront the harsh realities of climate change. It began with a simple scene - a child building a wall of rocks on the seashore, oblivious to the rising tide relentlessly lapping at his creation. This innocent play became a poignant metaphor for the challenges children face in the Solomon Islands, a nation on the frontline of climate change. Island Paradise Under Threat The Solomon Islands is a breathtaking paradise, an archipelago of 992 islands. However, this beauty is under siege. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and coral bleaching are just a few threats posed by a changing climate. The 2019 World Risk Report ranks the Solomon Islands as the fourth most at-risk nation globally for disasters. The impact is most acutely felt in rural communities, where ov...

In a collaborative effort to improve access to quality education, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) delivered essential learning materials to three provinces in the Solomon Islands. Working alongside the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and the Education Sector Support Program (ESSP), the ADF facilitated the delivery of over 5,000 kilograms of textbooks. This shipment included approximately 9,500 mathematics books for students in years three, four, and five, along with corresponding teacher guides. The textbooks were developed and printed by Cognition Education in partnership with MEHRD with funding from the Australian and New Zealand governments through the Education Sector Support Program . The Australian-made C-27J Spartan aircraft played a crucial role in transporting the textbooks to Makira, Choiseul, and Temotu provinces. This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of the Solomon Islands, Australian, and New Zealand governments to enhance educa...

The Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA) will be hosting its inaugural Accountants Congress this year on the 17th of September 2024. The 2024 Accountants Congress will be hosted with the theme ‘Building for a Sustainable Future for the Solomon Islands: The Role of the Accounting Profession in Nation-Building’. The Accountants Congress is an event that Professional Accounting Organisations (PAOs) around the world host annually as a platform to facilitate discussions on relevant matters of national interest with the government, business communities, industry experts and finance and accounting professionals. ISIA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Pamela Naesol-Alamu announced that ISIA will be hosting its inaugural Accountants Congress this year on the 17th of September 2024. ISIA, as the Solomon Islands national PAO mandated by the Accountants Act 2010 to develop and regulate the SI accounting profession, will be partnering with the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA Austr...

World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd found journalists in the Solomon Islands joining their global colleagues under a theme particularly relevant to our island nation: "Journalism in the face of environmental crisis." Climate change poses a serious threat to the Solomon Islands, with rising sea levels, unpredictable weather patterns, and endangerment of biodiversity demanding immediate attention. Building on the theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day, "Journalism in the face of environmental crisis," let's explore the vital role journalists play as watchdogs, particularly in a nation like the Solomon Islands facing significant environmental challenges. Local journalists gather at the World Press Freedom event organized by the Media Association Solomon Islands on May 3rd. Their commitment to journalism and freedom of expression plays a crucial role in building democratic societies and promoting a wareness of global environmental issues. Photo credits: ...

In the heart of Honiara, a remarkable journey unfolds – one that embodies resilience, passion, and the power of dreams. Hency Charles, a spirited individual with roots in the picturesque North East Malaita province, is a testament to how determination and a fervent commitment to youth empowerment can pave the way to a brighter future. From Tamone Village to the Heart of Honiara Hency's story begins in the tranquil surroundings of Tamone Village, nestled along the Lungga River in East Honiara. Raised in a loving family, he recalls how his father instilled a deep sense of faith and community in him from a young age. Every Sabbath, the family would gather at the Burn Creek SDA Church for worship, setting the foundation for a spiritual journey that would shape Hency's life. At the tender age of 10, Hency embarked on a transformative path as he joined the Pathfinders, a group dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of young minds. As he grew older, he transitioned into...

David Riare, a visionary musician and dedicated educator from Guadalcanal and Gilbertese heritage, is using the power of music to empower young people in Honiara, Solomon Islands. David's musical prowess is not just about melodies; it's about turning adversity into opportunity. His journey from humble beginnings to a beacon of hope for marginalized youth is a testament to his commitment to fostering a renewed passion for music and the arts. From an early age, David's affinity for music was profound. Yet, his path took an unconventional turn when he made the courageous decision to step away from formal education during form five and follow his guitar-strumming dreams. Rather than letting this setback define him, David harnessed music's potent force to advocate for the importance of education and to guide the aspirations of the next generation. At the heart of David's mission are his guitar classes, which empower underprivileged young individuals to embrace newf...

Sepi Alu, from Lambu Lambu village in the Western Province, is currently utilizing her skills in both hospitality and youth work to care for elderly people in Australia. Her journey fueled by hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to seize opportunities, serves as an inspiration for young Solomon Islanders. Sepi's story began to unfold in 2018 when she enrolled at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) to pursue a certificate in Travel and Tourism. With determination and dedication, she completed her studies in 2019, setting the stage for what would become a remarkable journey ahead. After graduation, Sepi embarked on a part-time role as a kitchen hand at the local Fusion Café at SINU, immersing herself in the hospitality industry. However, her thirst for learning and growth did not stop there. In 2020, she received a life-changing opportunity to further her studies in Certificate IV in Youth Work – a prospect she eagerly embraced. As part of the course, she spent s...