Telebere News

In its latest effort to boost Solomon Islands’ tourism and hospitality sector, Australia recently delivered an accredited Customer Care – Hospitality short course to 23 employees of Honiara Hotel. The program, delivered by the Australian Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), is designed to upskill employees, with the goal of enhancing guest satisfaction through improved service delivery. The short course includes hands-on instruction and guidance in customer engagement, hospitality etiquette, and service excellence, which are aligned with best practices in the hospitality industry. Honiara Hotel employees who completed the accredited Customer Care and Hospitality training Australia’s High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton said “I'm proud Australia is the number one source of tourists to Solomon Islands. This training program reflects Australia’s commitment to strengthening and growing Solomon Islands’ tourism and hospitality sector.” “This Customer Care short course is focus...

Solomon Islands experienced a significant surge in international arrivals during the third quarter of 2024, according to a report released by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office on December 24, 2024. A total of 13,966 international arrivals were recorded, marking an 11.5% increase compared to the previous quarter and a substantial 28.2% rise compared to the same period in 2023. V isitor arrivals alone reached 6,903, reflecting a 7.1% increase from the second quarter and a 22.7% year-on-year growth. Australia maintained its position as the leading source of visitors, contributing 32.4% of all tourist arrivals. While Australian visitor numbers decreased slightly by 0.7% compared to the previous quarter, they remained at 2,234. The United States emerged as the second largest source of visitors, followed by other Asian countries, such as China, Fiji, and New Zealand. August witnessed the highest monthly visitor count, with 2,504 arrivals, while July recorded 2,230 visitors...

Don Bosco Tetere Rural Training Centre in Guadalcanal Plains recently received a tractor, two 20-foot containers of agriculture training equipment and 10 laptops from the Australian Government’s Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) to enhance hands-on agricultural training and improve students’ access to digital learning and online resources. This latest handover builds on previous support from Australia, whose partnership with Rural Training Centres such as Don Bosco Tetere helps them deliver the Certificate III in Agribusiness course. Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said Australia is committed to developing technical and vocational education and training in Solomon Islands. “I know how important agriculture is for this country. By providing essential equipment, we are helping students gain practical skills and knowledge in agribusiness so they can find meaningful work and contribute to their communities and national development.”...

Congratulations and farewell to the 29 Solomon Islands Australia Awards Scholarships recipients who are ready to begin their studies in Australia in semester one of 2025. Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious, merit-based, and transformational opportunities offered to emerging leaders globally, including the Solomon Islands.  For 2025, Australia has provided 100 Australia Awards to Solomon Islanders, including 50 long-term Australia Awards Scholarships. Out of these, 29 scholars will start their academic journey in semester one, with the remaining recipients set to begin in semester two.    The Australian High Commission Solomon Islands hosted a farewell ceremony for the 29 scholars, which included a pre-departure briefing to prepare them for studying and living in Australia. Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said the scholarships reflect the strong partnership between Australia and the Solomon Islands. “The skil...

“When the road is good, life is good.” Christmas has come early for those living along Malaita’s South Road, with the 42km from Auki to Mao’a Bridge reopening after years of closure. Mr Jude Sukulu, owner of the South Road tyre repair store, echoes the comments  of everyone living along Malaita’s restored South Road. The only land link connecting four constituencies, including Central Kwara’ae, Aoke Langa Langa, West Kwaio, and West Are’Are, the road has been impassable to all but 4WD vehicles, devastating businesses, farmers and increasing the cost of goods coming into the community. "The reopening of the road brings relief to our communities,” said Ward Support Officer Ms Julia Agofi. “For the last two years, the only way to access Auki has been by boat. But overloading was common making travel risky – and it cost SBD100 to travel between villages and Auki, more than double the cost of travelling by road,” said Ms Agofi. Trades Transformation Company Ltd (TTC), a lo...

Emergency roadworks on Malaita’s South Road, one of the key transport roads in the Malaita province , have been completed a month ahead of schedule, significantly improving access for communities in the region. The Australian-funded project, which began in July 2024, repaired the first 42km of the South Road, reaching Mao’a Bridge by the end of November. The Solomon Islands Ministry of Infrastructure Development awarded the contract to Trades Transformation Company Ltd (TTC), a Malaita-based firm. Compaction works to strengthen resilience of the road basement. The upgrades provide much-needed relief to residents, with South Road serving as a lifeline connecting four constituencies: Aoke/Langalanga, Central Kwara’ae, West Kwaio, and West Are’ Are. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, Mr Allan Lilia, welcomed Australia’s support and the project's tangible benefits. “South Road is a vital connection for the southern region of Malaita,” Lili...

Solomon Islands and Airservices Australia have renewed their long-standing agreement for the safe management of Solomon Islands upper airspace. The five-year agreement is a continuation of more than 20 years of partnership in the management of high-altitude aircraft travelling across Solomon Islands skies, a critical area for international aviation. Solomon Islands Minister for Aviation and Communication, Hon. Frederick Kologeto with Airservices Australia Acting Chief Airspace and Network Officer Craig Charker, together with officials at the signing. Through the partnership, Airservices Australia will deliver state-of-the-art air traffic control services, and collect revenue from airlines using Solomon Islands airspace – which has delivered millions in revenue to the Solomon Islands Government. Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said Airservices Australia is regulated by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is responsible for safely managing air traff...