CURRENT AIRLINE SAGA WILL IMPACT TOURISM: SPTO

South Pacific Tourism Organisation logo. Photo credit: SPTO.

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) says the current airline impasse between Solomon Islands and Fiji will have a direct impact on tourism and trade related industries.

Head of the Organisation, Ilisoni Vuidreketi says the tourism industry is heavily reliant on a well-established air transport sector, and it is unfortunate the whole situation had escalated.

In a statement this week, Mr Vuidreketi says travel between Solomon Islands and Fiji is of utmost importance, as Solomon Islands hosts a number of regional offices in Honiara like the Forum Fisheries Agency, which employs a good number of Fijians.

He says the South Pacific Tourism Organisation respects the sovereignty of both nations on the Air Services Agreement, but says he pleads for both parties to come to the bargaining table.

He also asked the countries to consider the negative impact on families who rely on tourism for their livelihoods in the Solomons and Fiji.