22 Dec 2017

Solomons' Western Province ready for more tourists - diplomat

7:00 pm on 22 December 2017

A New Zealand diplomat says there is infrastructure developing in Solomon Islands' Western Province to cater for a surge in tourist numbers.

The waterfront and wharves at Gizo, Solomon Islands

The waterfront and wharves at Gizo, Solomon Islands Photo: Supplied

The Solomons' Government wants to encourage tourism and from early next year it is anticipated that international flights will begin into Munda Airport in Western Province.

The airport has been developed with New Zealand aid assistance and high commissioner, Don Higgins, said it should be complete and ready for flights within the next couple of months.

He said an influx of tourists is expected once Solomon Airlines begins flights from Brisbane direct to Munda and he said there would be accommodation available for them.

"So there are lodges there at the moment. So there has been quite a lot of work on tourist lodges and we are working with those operators there to make sure that things are ready and underway. So there is work to be done but there is certainly infrastructure there at the moment and an increasing range of infrastructure," said Don Higgins.

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