Australia Leads Solomon Islands Tourism Growth as PNG Visitor Numbers Surge

Australia continues to lead as the top tourism market for the Solomon Islands, according to a report released by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office.

The report highlighted a 7.2 percent increase in Australian visitors, rising from 3,490 in 2023 to 3,743 in 2024, making up 33 percent of total arrivals.

New Zealand followed as the second-largest source of visitors with 30 percent, while Fiji accounted for 23.6 percent and the U.S. for 13.2 percent. Notably, Papua New Guinea (PNG) doubled its number of visitors to the Solomon Islands, from 572 in 2023 to 1,172 in 2024, reflecting a significant 106.7 percent increase.

During a recent visit to Honiara, Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Hon. Pat Conroy MP, emphasized the importance of Australian tourism to the Solomon Islands’ economy.

He said that Australians inject more than 100 million Solomon dollars annually into the local economy, emphasizing the job creation and development opportunities that stem from this influx.

"Australians love the Solomon Islands; nearly half of all tourists come from Australia. We want to see the Solomon Islands thrive,” Hon. Conroy said. “We see immense growth potential, from your WWII attractions to diving and fishing, as well as increasing your agricultural exports and building the capacity of Solomon Islanders to work in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.”

The Solomon Islands is rich in cultural diversity, and visitors can discover their unique attraction in this hidden gem in the South Pacific.

The Solomon Islands remain a hidden gem in the Pacific, welcoming around 26,036 visitors annually. This limited number of tourists contributes to preserving the archipelago's pristine nature. The archipelago comprises 992 islands offering world-class diving, untouched villages, exceptional fishing, and a range of accommodations, from luxurious resorts to eco-lodges.

Tourism Solomons CEO (Acting), Dagnal Dereveke, noted that the national tourist office's strategic marketing efforts yield positive results.

“While much of our international marketing focuses on the traditionally strong Australian and New Zealand markets, we are seeing promising returns from our efforts in PNG,” Mr. Dereveke said. “Similar to Fiji, much of the visitation from these countries is business-related.”

He added, “These consistent increases present a substantial opportunity for Tourism Solomons to expand its activities in the Fiji and PNG markets.

“It also highlights the potential for our domestic operators to target business travelers from these countries. With many Fijian and PNG citizens based in Honiara, the visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market offers significant potential for our local tourism industry.