“First husband” makes return visit The crew of the New Zealand television programme Fish of the Day have visited the Solomon Islands for their second time, led by the New Zealand Prime Minister’s husband, Clarke Gayford. The crew filmed in and around Honiara, the Florida Islands, and the Western Province. Fish of the Day draws about 350,000 fishing-mad New Zealand viewers every week, and the show is also broadcast in Canada and about 20 other countries. The destination-based travel programme focuses on fishing and diving, and also features culture, history and food. The return visit is a key part of Tourism Solomons’ international media visitation programme. Along with strong support from Solomon Airlines and local industry partners, Tourism Solomons the IMVP plays a pivotal role in drawing worldwide attention to the travel opportunities the launches branded websites Solomon Islands offers to an international audience. Another key component of Tourism Solomons’ rebranding strategy has been completed with the launch of the national tourist office’s new consumer and corporate websites. The two new websites were intended to “bring out the best of the Solomon Islands branding with striking vibrancy,” the Minister for Culture and Tourism, the Hon. Bartholomew Parapolo, said at the official launch at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara. “Both websites dovetail with all the strengths of the national tourist office’s new brand.” The new Visit Solomons website, www.visitsolomons.com.sb has been designed to provide visitors with information about the island’s multi-faceted travel offerings, including its culture and history, diving, fishing, surfing, trekking and bird watching. There is also a section targeting the romantic travel and couples market. The new industry-focused corporate website, www.tourismsolomons.com, provide travel agents, wholesalers and operators with the tools they need to sell and package the destination. This includes detailed information on the national tourist office’s Hapi Isles specialists agents’ online training programme. The new websites were a key component of the overall rebrand, said the Chief Executive of Tourism Solomons, Josefa “Jo” Tuamoto. “Our goal has always been to create a user-friendly browsing experience for our customers and business partners.” Pictured with their Tourism Solomons’ hosts at the Coral Sea Resort & Casino in Honiara are (from left to right): Mike Bhana, Tourism Solomons marketing officer Alice Afia, Clarke Gayford, Warren A Fijian company, Webmedia South Pacific, designed the websites. Green and Tourism Solomons marketing officer Brenden Mautoa.

Resort a great base for exploring war relics Sanbis Resort, an eco-resort located in Gizo in the Western Province, has six beach bungalows and a separate two-bedroomed lodge perched on the edge of Mbabanga Island, just a short boat ride away from the town of Gizo. Children younger than 12 years old are not allowed at this resort, but it is ideal for families with teenagers. Sanbis Resort will appeal to divers and snorkellers who want to swim down to the Second World War wrecks on the seabed, or explore tropical, fish-filled coral reefs. Surfers are also well catered for, with two world-class breaks at nearby Paelongi and Titianas. War enthusiasts who prefer to stay on land can also access numerous historic sites, including Kennedy Island, where the then future President of the United States, John F Kennedy, and his crew hid after a Japanese destroyer sank their motor torpedo boat during the campaign in 1942. From a cultural perspective, the region is one of the richest, with traditional Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian villages spread along the reaches and islands making up Vona Vona Lagoon. Sanbis Resort is reputed to have one of the best resort restaurants in the Solomon Islands, and the South Pacific’s only over-water, wood-fired pizza oven. Dive magazine ranks islands in world top 10 The Solomons Islands has been named one of the world’s top 10 diving destinations in the annual Dive Travel Awards conducted by the British magazine Dive. The Solomon Islands placed fifth on the list, which attracted input from more than 600 operators. The accolade from the world’s largest diving publication would help to attract more divers from the United Kingdom and elsewhere to the islands, said the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Solomons, Josefa “Jo” Tuamoto. The announcement of specialist diving operator Bilikiki as the fourth best live-aboard diving boat operator at DEMA 2018 in Las Vegas, the world’s largest annual show for diving, added further prestige, Tuamoto said.

Solomon Is. Freedom NEVER FORGET, NEVER AGAIN Solomon Is. Epic

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