Lizzie Seko’s journey from roadside trader to entrepreneur is helping drive tourism and transport growth in Tulagi.
For Lizzie Seko, the foundation of a tourism empire wasn’t laid with a business degree or a corporate loan. It was built at a small roadside stall in Honiara, selling betel nut and cigarettes.
Today, as the co-founder of Tulagi Tours and Travel, Seko has become a central figure in Central Province’s ambitious bid to lead the national travel industry by 2028. Her transition from a steady government job as a forestry officer to a pioneering entrepreneur offers a rare look into the “bravery” required to navigate the Pacific’s shifting economic tides.
The Leap into the Informal
The story of Tulagi Tours is one of calculated risk. Years ago, Seko and her husband—then a youth development officer—made a bold decision decision to abandon the perceived security of the formal sector.
“I realized I earned more at the stall than in my formal career,” Seko reflects. “It wasn’t just about the money; it sparked a fascination with the informal sector—how small, local trades actually drive our economy.”
That curiosity evolved into a fuel service venture in Tulagi. But as they watched tourists struggle to reach the historic island, they identified a critical bottleneck: logistics. By 2017, with the support of a “rayboat” from the Ministry of Tourism, the couple officially pivoted to transport, bridging the gap between the capital and the province.
Survival on the Water
Running a maritime business in the Solomon Islands is a lesson in resilience. For Seko, the greatest challenge is the “price tug-of-war” with clients who often underestimate the overheads of island logistics.
“Finding a balance between fair pricing and the rising cost of fuel is a daily struggle,” she says. Currently, the two-hour boat ride from Honiara to Tulagi is the business’s lifeline, but Seko is looking ahead. Her next goal is to secure high-speed “fast crafts” to halve travel times and elevate the visitor experience.
Despite the high stakes, the business has thrived by securing vital partnerships with the nation’s heavyweights, including Heritage Park Hotel, the Mendana, Tourism Solomons and others.
The ‘Green’ Frontier for Women
Seko views tourism as more than a revenue stream; she sees it as a “green industry” that empowers indigenous people to reclaim their economic narrative. As a mother and a leader, she believes the sector is the natural home for women’s leadership.
“Tourism requires a specific kind of bravery,” Seko says. “To any woman standing on the sidelines: it can feel daunting, but it is a business you will never regret. It requires confidence, a willingness to learn, and the strength to build your own networks.”
As Central Province inches toward its 2028 goals, the Sekos serve as a blueprint for local ownership. Their success suggests that the future of Solomon Islands tourism may not depend on outside investment, but on the courage of those willing to trade the safety of the office for the unpredictability of the open sea.
