Telebere News

Solomon Islands has recorded a strong rebound in international tourism, with new figures showing double-digit growth in visitor arrivals for the first nine months of 2025. Data released by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) confirms that a total of 20,466 international visitors entered the country between January and September, representing a 12.1 percent increase compared to the 18,252 arrivals recorded in the same period last year. Solomon Islands welcomes new data showing double-digit growth in international visitor arrivals for Q3 2025. Acting Tourism Solomons CEO, Dagnal Dereveke, said the surge in arrivals reflects the impact of sustained marketing efforts across the destination’s core leisure markets, which continue to deliver strong results. “The new data confirms international interest in the Solomon Islands is rebuilding strongly and very much in line with our strategic growth targets,” he said. “Our stays fixed on rebuilding and growing visitor arri...

Two young women, Sharon Bare and Lelu Kakadi, have secured SBD$40,000 in funding under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Launch Pad initiative. They were among four top winners selected to kickstart their events business, Dream Events. Their win was announced during the YECSI Awards 2025, following six weeks of intensive training and business pitching organised by the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI), in collaboration with the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Turning Experience into Opportunity Dream Events grew from Sharon and Lelu’s long-standing passion for event organising. Both young entrepreneurs said the idea was shaped by their years of volunteering and working with the Honiara City Council Youth Division, where they helped coordinate youth programs and international events. “Those experiences shaped me,” Sharon said. “They inspired us to start an events business.” A Big Win — and an Emotional O...

Ebony Finau, the owner and founder of Twice Is Nice, walked away with two prestigious awards at the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) Awards 2025, marking a significant milestone in her six-year journey as a trailblazing online businesswoman. Finau secured the Most Improved Female Award and the E-Commerce/Entrepreneurial Award, two categories she deliberately chose to honour her growth and the digital business model she pioneered in the country. “There were three categories we could apply for, but I decided to commit to these two — Most Improved Female and E-Commerce,” she said. A Business Born from Everyday Challenges Finau’s business, Twice Is Nice, is an online thrift and second-hand clothing shop that operates mainly through Instagram and Facebook. With a niche market targeting women and teenage girls, the platform offers a convenient shopping experience for customers juggling work, family, and busy schedules. “The idea came from the challenge many women f...

A new series of vehicle registration plates has been introduced across the capital, signalling a major step in the government’s ongoing efforts to modernize transport management and strengthen accountability on the road. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) confirmed that number plates marked with the letters “DX” are now officially assigned to vehicles belonging to technical staff of embassies and consulate offices. The rollout follows a multi-agency review aimed at improving transparency in how vehicles are registered and used. Under the new system, plates with “DC” are issued to diplomatic missions, while “IO” and “RO” are designated for international and regional organizations, coordinated by the Foreign Affairs Division. At the same time, the government is phasing out the old “X” plates, which had previously been used for similar purposes. The reform is being implemented through collaboration between MID’s Land Transport Management Services Division, the Inland...

The national universities of Solomon Islands and Australia have signed a landmark agreement to deepen academic collaboration, foster research partnerships, and enhance capacity building. Leaders from Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and Australian National University (ANU) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) following the successful conclusion of the inaugural Panatina Research Seminar, held on 3 November 2025 at SINU’s Panatina Campus in Honiara. Prof. Helen Sullivan, Dean of the ANU Centre for Asia Pacific and Dr. Transform Aqorau, Vice Chancellor of SINU sign the partnership agreement. Funded by the Australian Government through the Pacific Research and Australia Awards programs, the seminar brought together scholars, leaders, students, and community representatives to address the Solomon Islands’ most pressing development challenges, including climate change, education, governance and social transformation. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele...

As Christmas festivities draw near, many Solomon Islanders are preparing to return to their home provinces. For most, home is where the heart is — a place that holds family, culture, and belonging. While Honiara may be a second home filled with opportunities, the true spirit of the season lies in reconnecting with our roots. Children from Alea Village gaze across to Lafumasi Artificial Island — once home to their grandparents before the family relocated inland. Last Christmas, I spent my holiday at Alea village in Takwa, Northeast Malaita, to spend time with family in-laws. What I found was both beautiful and confronting — a powerful reminder of how deeply our lives are tied to our land, sea, and people. Life in the Village: Beauty and Hardship In Alea, life flows with the rhythm of the tides and the laughter of children playing by the shore. Yet behind this peaceful picture lies the daily struggle of many families. Rural women continue to face challenges in accessing clean w...

Eleven young Solomon Islanders celebrated their success as they graduated from the Junior Professional Program (JPP); an Australian-funded initiative designed to build the next generation of ICT and cyber professionals and strengthen the country’s digital future. The graduation ceremony, held at the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) ICT Services Office, marked the completion of the program’s third cohort. Members of the Junior Professional Program (JPP) Cohort 3 gathered for a group photo following their graduation ceremony at the SIG ICT Office in Lengakiki . Australia has invested SBD1.66 million over two years in the JPP, which is providing hands-on training and real-world experience and creating a pipeline of skilled professionals for both public and private sectors.   “The hard work and dedication of the eleven graduates have paid off, and as they go out into the ICT workforce, their skills and enthusiasm will help Solomon Islands achieve its goals of digital transformation...