The Solomon Islands is experiencing a boost in tourism infrastructure with the opening of Hotel Zaru, a 16-bed restaurant located in Gizo, the capital of Western Province. Tourism Minister Choylin Yim Douglas heralded this development as a significant milestone for the area. The hotel features fully equipped conference facilities and commercial rental spaces, aimed at enhancing tourism, business travel, and the hosting of events in this remote region.
Minister Douglas emphasized the importance of such developments for both domestic and international tourism, stating, “This type of development is exactly what we need to boost our economic growth and diversification. We want to see more quality rooms, better standards, and local investors leading the way in shaping our tourism industry.”
Gizo, known for its picturesque surroundings, is the second-largest town in the Solomon Islands, located 380 kilometers from the capital, Honiara, and accessible via a small landing strip on nearby Nusatupe Island. The new hotel’s conference facilities are particularly noteworthy as they open up possibilities for meetings, workshops, and small-scale events, expanding Gizo’s offerings beyond leisure tourism.
Tourism Solomon’s Acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke, remarked that the addition of Hotel Zaru is a strategic move in augmenting the island’s accommodation options, particularly as targeted marketing efforts intensify in Australia, New Zealand, and other key markets. “Having quality room stock in destinations like Western Province is critical. This development enhances our destination credibility and supports our message that the Solomon Islands offers authentic experiences backed by reliable, comfortable, and affordable infrastructure,” he stated.
The introduction of Hotel Zaru is indeed a hopeful indicator of growth for Gizo and the wider Solomon Islands tourism industry, showcasing the potential for local investments to thrive and contribute positively to the economy.
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