SITHP Recognises World Tourism Day 2025
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS (September 27, 2025) — The Solomon Islands joins the global community in celebrating World Tourism Day, which this year highlights how tourism can transform economies and drive long-term growth.
In 2023, visitor arrivals to Pacific Islands countries returned to – and even surpassed – pre-pandemic levels, despite growing competition from Southeast Asian destinations. While Fiji, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa continue to attract the lion’s share of international visitors, Solomon Islands is well-positioned to capitalize on this blue-Pacific tourism momentum.
Through the Accessing Land for Tourism Investment Facilitation (ALTIF) project, the MCC-Solomon Islands Threshold Program (SITHP) is helping Solomon Islands expand its tourism offerings. ALTIF engages communities to improve access to land for tourism development in ways that respect local customs, while also increasing opportunities for foreign investment.
The project supports:
- the development of a new National Tourism Strategy;
- a review of Trustee Legislation to make it easier for communities to use their land for tourism;
- a comprehensive profile of potential tourism investment sites; and
- a roadmap for securing social licenses from landowning communities.
With support from MCC, this work is led by the Solomon Islands Government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Commissioner of Lands, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, the Registrar of Titles Office, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Solomon Airlines, Tourism Solomons, and other key players in the tourism sector.
“By addressing long-standing land tenure challenges and drawing responsible investors, the Solomon Islands Government sees tourism as a key driver of economic development, job creation and prosperity,” said Mr. Charles Jakosa, MCC’s Resident Threshold Director in Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands Government is pursuing many positive reforms in tourism, including granting tax concessions for priority sectors; simplifying business registration, duty and licence fees; and creating special economic zones. A recent World Bank report stated that a bold reform effort could boost economic growth and help the Solomon Islands achieve its goal of upper-middle income status by 2040.
