Solomon Islands – the really unspoilt and natural Pacific welcome

Marketing people are paid to be nice to potential customers and of course to journos like The Mole, but it would be hard to imagine a more natural, happy and smiling ambassador, that really believes in and is passionate about what he sells, the stunning Solomon Islands than Ellison Kyere of Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, pictured in Sydney late last year.

With the relatively untouched paradise struck by a tsunami last year, Ellison told me that the vast majority of the islands were unaffected, but even so the areas that were affected are now fully recovered, with the dive and backpacker areas back in full swing and have been for some time, offering some of the best locations in the world.

Ellison also said that they were delighted to have appointed Five Star PR in Sydney to get the message out about the Solomons as there were many incorrect ones in the market, but the message was simple, the Solomon Islands is business as usual and it has been for some time!

He said that while only approximately 6,000 Australians visited the Solomon Islands on both business and leisure every year, they had a target to reach 20,000 by 2010 and they the Bureau is confident that can be achieved.

With diving the Solomons number one product they are also keen to emphasise the amazing history and culture of the islands it is the people of the islands that make the real difference and while they are more reserved, or even shy, they are very welcoming to tourists offering a beautiful smile, but visitors must realise that they are reserved and may not talk to them immediately! 

They are simply reserved not rude!

Ellison said that the Government was very keen to open up the Solomons as it was relatively undeveloped, but wanted to maintain the very special feel and nature of the island, and while they had some excellent accommdoation, they were interested in luxury developments with one 5* resort under construction now, scheduled for completion in 2009.

The Mole asked Ellison about relatively recent political issues and he said that they were all now resolved with no issues remaining and that the Solomons is a very safe and peaceful place to visit.

He said that they were keen to broaden their product offering, with a number of wholesalers in Australia offering the Solomons and while the islands offered superb diving, they also had amazing fishing, with diving, fishing and visiting villages about as strenuous as it got, with lazing around drinking ice cold local beer called Solbrew the main activity!  Sounds good to me!

Getting to the Solomons is now pretty easy with four flights a week to Honiara from Brisbane with Solomon Airlines and then depending where you want to go, interisland flights or ferries/freighters to virtually all the islands.

Ellison stressed that the Solomons is not for everybody, but travellers seeking a very laid back, easy going holiday in an unspoilt destination, then there was no question, they should visit the Solomon Islands and leave all their cares and worries at home behind them!

With eating a key part of any holiday, Ellison told me that they had some of the best fish available anywhere with prawns, crayfish, lobsters, mud crabs and fish, fresh from the ocean and when washed down with an ice cold Solbrew, there was nothing better.

Fruit and vegetables are all locally grown, but as with most islands most meat is imported from Australia and New Zealand.

So, if Ellison is a fair representative of the people of the Solomons and I am certain that he is, then his easy going, laid back smiling approach makes me feel like I am already there and also makes me want to visit and I suggest so should you and your clients…………….hey Ellison, where’s that ice cold Solbrew?

For more information visit: www.visitsolomons.com.sb

A Special Solomon Islands face to face interview report by The Mole