Solomon Islanders Call for Sustainable, Community-Led Tourism

A growing number of Solomon Islanders are calling for a more sustainable and community-driven approach to tourism, according to the results of the 2024 Community Attitude Survey (CAS) jointly released by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), Tourism Solomons, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT).

Conducted between November 2024 and June 2025, the CAS is the first nationwide study of its kind, engaging 1,280 respondents across all nine provinces.

There is strong national support for expanding community-based and eco-tourism initiatives that empower local villages, youth, and women.

The survey, which analysed 1,264 valid responses, captured the views of both citizens (98%) and resident non-citizens (2%), providing an unprecedented snapshot of national sentiment toward tourism development.

The findings reveal strong public consensus that tourism plays a vital role in shaping the Solomon Islands’ future — as an engine for economic growth, employment creation, cultural preservation, and national pride.

Many respondents viewed tourism as a key opportunity to diversify the economy beyond its traditional reliance on logging and fisheries.

Respondents also expressed deep pride in sharing the Solomon Islands’ rich culture, natural beauty, and the spirit of the “Hapi Isles” with international visitors.

However, they voiced concerns about weak infrastructure — such as poor roads, sanitation, inter-island transport, limited accommodation, and low digital connectivity — which continues to hamper tourism growth.

The survey also found that the benefits of tourism are unevenly distributed, with wealthier groups and foreign operators often perceived as the primary beneficiaries.

Environmental issues, including reef damage, waste management, and threats to cultural authenticity, were highlighted alongside concerns over limited tourism education and training, especially in rural areas.

Despite these challenges, the CAS results point to significant opportunities for growth.

There is strong national support for expanding community-based and eco-tourism initiatives that empower local villages, youth, and women.

Respondents emphasized the need for improved tourism education, vocational training, and small business support to ensure communities can meaningfully participate in and benefit from the sector.

Many also called for stronger government leadership, infrastructure investment, and policy reforms to create a more sustainable tourism framework.

Enhanced marketing and promotion were seen as critical for positioning the Solomon Islands as a unique eco-cultural and World War II heritage destination.

Tourism Solomons Acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke said the CAS findings, are vital in driving future policy and strategic directions for tourism in Solomon Islands.

“Such findings coming from the communities that are the custodians of the resources, and the cultures determine the type of tourism that is best suited for Solomon Islands.”

“We are looking forward to ongoing collaboration into the future as we work closely with our communities in shaping the tourism that respects our people and culture at the same time provides economic benefits that are sustainable for the current and future generations.”

“Tourism Solomons thanks SPTO and Development Partners for the ongoing partnership and support in undertaking the first CAS for Solomon Islands,” he said.

The Solomon Islands is one of ten Pacific Island countries participating in the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI), funded by the New Zealand Government.

The initiative also includes Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Kiribati, Vanuatu, and the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap).

PTDI serves as a regional hub for tourism data through its bi-annual International Visitor Survey (IVS), annual Business Confidence Index (BCI), and Community Attitude Survey (CAS) reports.

SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker emphasised that DATA is King and the importance of community-driven insights in shaping tourism policy.

“This survey is a milestone for the Solomon Islands. It reflects the aspirations and concerns of the people who live the reality of tourism every day. Their voices must guide our collective efforts to build a sector that is inclusive, resilient, and locally led,” he said.

The CAS findings are expected to inform future tourism policies and strategies aimed at ensuring that the growth of tourism in the Solomon Islands remains both inclusive and sustainable.