TAHITI OFFERED TOURISM HELP TO SOLOMON ISLANDS
Prime Minister Sogavare in his face-to-face dialogue French Polynesian President, His Excellency Fritch. Photo credit: PM Press Secretariat.
French Polynesia (Tahiti) has offered to help Solomon Islands develop its tourism industry.
It also proposes potential areas for wider Pacific regional cooperation in airline services and restrictive fishing limits.
A government statement confirms these agendas were discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare and the French Polynesian President, His Excellency Edouard Fritch in Honolulu, Hawaii, last Friday.
On the tourism help proposal, President Fritch said French Polynesia is willing to share its tourism expertise and experiences with Solomon Islands to help improve its tourism industry.
On that note, the French territory offers to host the Solomon Islands Minister for Tourism in Tahiti on a look and learn trip and also send its tourism experts to Solomon Islands.
Mr. Fritch also touched on the proposition for regional airline services, saying the establishment of a regional airline is an excellent idea that could promote multi-destination tourism.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sogavare in his response welcomes the help offered by the French President to Solomon Islands tourism industry and the proposition for a Pacific regional cooperation to advance common Pacific interests.
The Prime Minister says the proposal is crucial as the strength of the Pacific Island nations lie in working together and speaking with one voice on issues of their collective interest and concern.
Mr. Sogavare says among others, regional airlines proposition is a great idea that could be operated by way of a codeshare agreement amongst the different Pacific nations.
The Prime Minister points Solomon Islands has been considering the idea of entering into codeshare arrangements with some Asian airlines to provide services to and from Solomon Islands to certain Asian destinations to tap into the huge Asian Tourist market.