Telebere News

The Solomon Islands proudly joined the global community in celebrating World Tourism Day 2024 under the theme, ‘Tourism and Peace.’ This year’s theme holds profound significance for the international tourism industry and the local context in the Solomon Islands, underscoring the inseparable link between peace and a thriving tourism sector. Without peace, tourism cannot exist. As we reflect on this theme, we are reminded of the vital role peace plays in fostering a successful tourism industry and the opportunities it brings to our nation. Globally, tourism has long served as a bridge connecting people, cultures, and nations. It promotes understanding, fosters goodwill, and helps build the foundations for lasting peace. In peaceful regions, tourism flourishes, generating jobs, strengthening economies, and enhancing cultural exchange. However, when peace is disrupted, tourism declines and the social and economic benefits are lost. World Tourism Day 2024 - MCT-led Peace March Group p...

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 opportu...

Tourism Solomons is celebrating its strongest second-quarter performance in over four years, with visitor arrival figures for January to June 2024 showing a remarkable 26.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. According to data released by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO), 11,333 international travelers visited the Solomon Islands during the six months, surpassing the 8,957 visitors recorded in Q2 2023. These 2024 figures mark the best results since the record-breaking second quarter of 2019 when the destination welcomed 12,742 international visitors. Australian visitors continued to lead, with a 7.2 percent increase from 3,490 in 2023 to 3,743 in 2024, making up 33 percent of the total arrivals. Other key markets also showed positive growth, with visitor numbers from the US up by 13.2 percent, Fiji up by 23.6 percent, and New Zealand showing a 30 percent increase. The most significant growth, however, came from Papua New Guinea, where vis...

In his keynote address at the Solomon Islands National University, Hon. Pat Conroy MP, Australia's Minister for International Development and the Pacific, emphasized the vital importance of education, economic resilience, and the strong partnership between Australia and the Solomon Islands in addressing future challenges. He said Australia is committed to supporting the Solomon Islands' economic growth, job creation, and development. Speaking  with SINU students and faculty for the second time, Minister Conroy stressed the importance of universities as "special places" that unite the country’s brightest minds and the energetic youth who will shape the future. Minister Pat Conroy, Australia's Minister for International Development and the Pacific, spoke  with SINU students and faculty for the second time. He focused on the issue of job creation in the Solomon Islands, a nation with one of the youngest populations globally. Nearly 40% of citizens are under 15 ...

Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, will travel to Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea this week to further strengthen Australia’s deep and enduring partnerships in the Pacific.    Minister Conroy said Australia and Solomon Islands have interconnected futures. “We share a region and an ocean,” Minister Conroy said.    “I will meet Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and other senior government ministers.”   Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, The Hon Pat Conroy MP, on his last visit to Solomon Islands, to continue deepening the relationship between Australia and Solomon Islands. “I look forward to discussing the substantial economic and development partnerships Australia and Solomon Islands share, including engaging with students at the Solomon Islands National University and announcing an additional support package to the Solomons Islands health sector through the Partner...

The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children, and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating closely with the Solomon Islands National Youth Congress (SINYC) to amplify the voices of young people across the country. This commitment was solidified during a recent courtesy visit by SINYC's leadership team, including Chair Harry James Olikwailafa, Vice Chair Philip Subu, and General Secretary Josie-Anne Ashley, to MWYCFA's Permanent Secretary, Dr. Cedric Alepe n dava, and the Director of the Youth Division, Andre Tipoki. During the meeting, SINYC shared its six-month Progress Report highlighting ongoing partnership projects and presented its Work Plan for the next six months. The SINYC team, consisting of dynamic young individuals, discussed the challenges Youth Congress faces in its mission and proposed strategies for overcoming these obstacles. The meeting also provided a platform for SINYC to express their gratitude to the Government, mainly through ...

Specialist explosive ordnance disposal teams and supporting air assets have started to arrive in Solomon Islands this week ahead of Operation Render Safe 2024. Over the coming days, more than 250 explosive ordnance specialists, from over eight countries will deploy to Western Province to identify and destroy explosive remnants of war remaining from World War II. At the request of the Solomon Islands Government, the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force will lead a joint multinational team of experts from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. This will be the largest land-based Render Safe Operation ever conducted and will focus on the removal of explosive remnants of war from key areas in Western Province including Munda, Kolombangara, Kohinggo and Vona Vona. Personnel from the United States Army and the Australian Army apply a rocket wrench to an inert bomb during mission-specific training for Operati...