The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with Tourism Solomons (TSO) and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), has released the results of the 2024 Community Attitude Survey (CAS)—the first nationwide study of its kind in the Solomon Islands. The research findings provide insight into how Solomon Islanders perceive tourism, its potential, and the challenges that must be addressed to ensure its sustainability.
Conducted between November 2024 and June 2025, the survey engaged 1,280 respondents, with 1,264 valid entries analysed. The study achieved broad provincial coverage across all ten provinces, capturing the voices of both citizens (98%) and resident non-citizens (2%). The results reflect a growing national awareness of tourism’s role in shaping the future of the Solomon Islands.
The findings reveal a strong consensus that tourism is a vital engine for economic growth, job creation, cultural preservation, and national pride. Communities across the country view tourism as a strategic pathway to diversify the economy beyond traditional sectors such as logging and fisheries. Respondents expressed deep pride in sharing the Solomon Islands’ unique culture, natural beauty, and the spirit of the “Hapi Isles” with visitors from around the world.
Tourism Solomons Chief Executive Officer Dagnal Dereveke said the CAS findings, the first of their kind for Solomon Islands tourism, are vital in driving future policy and strategic directions for the sector. He added that such findings come from the communities that are the custodians of the resources and cultures that determine the type of tourism best suited to the Solomon Islands.
“Tourism Solomons thanks SPTO and development partners for their ongoing partnership and support in undertaking the first CAS for the Solomon Islands,” he said. “We look forward to continuing collaboration in the future as we work closely with our communities to shape tourism that respects our people and culture, while at the same time providing sustainable economic benefits for current and future generations.”
However, the survey also highlighted concerns that weak infrastructure—including roads, sanitation, inter-island transport, accommodation, and digital connectivity—is a major barrier to tourism development. Many respondents felt that the benefits of tourism are not equitably distributed, with wealthier groups and foreign operators perceived to be the primary beneficiaries. Environmental threats such as reef damage, waste management issues, and the erosion of cultural authenticity were also raised, alongside concerns about low levels of tourism education and training, particularly in rural provinces.
Despite these challenges, the survey highlights significant opportunities for growth. There is strong support for expanding community-based and eco-tourism models that empower villages, youth, and women. Respondents called for improved tourism education, vocational training, and small-business capacity-building to ensure that local communities are equipped to participate meaningfully in the sector. Enhanced marketing and promotion were also seen as essential to positioning the Solomon Islands as a distinctive eco-cultural and WWII heritage destination. Strengthening government leadership and investing in tourism infrastructure, as well as policy reform, emerged as key priorities.
The Solomon Islands is among ten Pacific Island countries—the Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Kiribati, Vanuatu, and the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap)—participating in the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) funded by the New Zealand Government. The PTDI continues to serve as an essential resource for tourism data across the Pacific through its biannual International Visitor Survey (IVS), annual Business Confidence Index (BCI), and annual Community Attitude Survey (CAS) reports, which strengthen regional tourism strategies.
SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker emphasised that “data is king” and highlighted the importance of community-driven insights in shaping tourism policy: “This survey is a milestone for the Solomon Islands. It reflects the aspirations and concerns of the people who live the reality of tourism every day. Their voices must guide our collective efforts to build a sector that is inclusive, resilient, and locally led.”
