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National Geographic Orion Marks the Inaugural Cruise Arrival, Anticipation High for a Flourishing Tourism Year Ahead
Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands, greeted the arrival of the National Geographic Orion, signaling the commencement of the tourist season. The vessel, carrying 55 tourists from various countries including the United States, docked at Point Cruz wharf early Wednesday morning, marking the first cruise ship to visit the shores of the Solomon Islands this year.
Garedd Porowai, representing Tourism Solomons, expressed the significance of the occasion, stating, “The first cruise ship arrival is always momentous.” He emphasized the preparations made to extend a warm welcome to the tourists, including a traditional panpipe greeting, a customary gesture for cruise arrivals. Porowai also highlighted the timeliness of the visit for Tourism Solomons, setting an optimistic tone for more cruise visits throughout the year.
The Solomon Islands has experienced a notable increase in tourist arrivals, as reported by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) in October last year. In the second quarter of 2023, arrivals surged to 10,358, marking a substantial 24.5% increase compared to the previous quarter. This figure represents a remarkable 521.4% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year, reflecting the resurgence of international travel following the post-Covid19 era.
Analysis of visitor arrivals by country of residence reveals Australia as the leading source, accounting for 40.8% of visitors. This represents a significant 44.7% increase compared to the previous quarter, emphasizing the strengthening ties between the Solomon Islands and its neighboring country. Following Australia, visitors from Fiji (9.9%) and the United States (9.2%) constituted notable portions of arrivals, demonstrating the diverse geographic origins of tourists.
June emerged as the peak month for tourist arrivals in the second quarter of 2023, with 1,896 visitors recorded. April followed closely behind with 1,645 visitors, while May experienced the lowest turnout with 1,514 visitors. Among the 1,814 tourists recorded during this period, the majority (1,609) cited holiday and vacation as their primary purpose of travel, with an average stay of 13 days in the country.
Australia maintained its position as the top contributor to tourist numbers, representing 48.7% of visitors for the quarter, reaffirming its status as a key market for the Solomon Islands’ tourism industry. As Honiara welcomes its first cruise ship of the year, anticipation grows for a thriving tourist season ahead, promising economic benefits and cultural exchanges for the Solomon Islands.
