30 Oct 2006

Solomons Visitor Bureau says instability hitting tourism

5:35 am on 30 October 2006

The Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau is calling on the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to immediately stabilise the fragile political situation in the country as it is affecting visitor arrivals.

The Bureau's General Manager, Michael Tokuru says a recent survey among hotels, resorts and dive operators showed tourist bookings cancelled or no bookings at all.

Mr Tokuru says the country's image has been tarnished following international media coverage focusing on what happen in the country in recent weeks.

He says law and order is the issue, if the country can guarantee that, then visitor arrivals will slowly be regained.