Tourism Solomons appoints Andrew Nihopara as CEO after five years, bringing extensive Pacific tourism and public-sector experience.
Tourism Solomons (TS) has appointed Andrew Nihopara as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Announcing the decision, TS Board Chairman Tony Langston said Mr Nihopara’s extensive regional experience, strategic leadership and established profile across the Asia-Pacific tourism sector would be a significant asset as Solomon Islands seeks to strengthen its international tourism presence.
As a senior tourism and public-sector leader with more than two decades of experience spanning Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific, Mr Nihopara brings extensive experience to the role at a time when the national tourist office is seeking to strengthen the destination’s visibility and grow international visitor markets.
Mr Nihopara previously served as Head of Marketing for Tourism Solomons from 2001 to 2004. From 2006 to 2011, he served as Marketing Manager and Deputy CEO of the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), based in Suva, Fiji.
During that period, he was named the Pacific-Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) ‘Face of the Future’.
Among his other professional engagements, Mr Nihopara served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) in Solomon Islands, where he was involved in policy development and implementation related to tourism growth in the country.
Mr Nihopara’s academic qualifications include a Master of Commerce in Management and Public Administration and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Public Administration from the University of the South Pacific (USP), as well as a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University, New Zealand.
With the TS CEO position vacant for more than five years, his appointment marks a significant milestone for the organisation. The appointment follows a rigorous recruitment process conducted by KPMG Fiji and a three-member selection committee appointed by the new TS Board on 9 July 2026.
Congratulating Mr Nihopara and wishing him every success, Mr Langston said he and the board looked forward to working with the new CEO.
Photo caption: Pictured standing, from left, are Tourism Solomons Head of Corporate Services Dagnal Dereveke, Tourism Solomons Board Director John Foimua, Tourism Solomons Board Director Zaccheus Sepo, and Tourism Solomons Head of Sales and Marketing Fiona Teama.
Seated are Tourism Solomons CEO Andrew Nihopara, left, and Tourism Solomons Board Chairman Tony Langston.
Source: Tourism Solomons Press Release
