It’s a country that, pre-pandemic, welcomed the kind of visitor arrivals that nearby Fiji would see in a week. Somewhere in which travellers could truly get off the beaten tourist path. And now, more than three years after enacting its COVID-19 travel restrictions, the Solomon Islands – one of the few remaining countries to have still had pandemic-related restrictions in place – has lifted all travel rules relating to the virus.
The Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) announcement means, effective immediately, travellers to the Solomon Islands will no longer need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a COVID-19 test.
There will however be a requirement to complete a health declaration card given to passengers on their aircraft or at the point of entry into the destination.
“The decision to drop COVID-related entry requirements showcases the Solomon Islands as a welcoming and traveller-friendly destination; it demonstrates our commitment to facilitating tourism and highlights our confidence in having managed the COVID-19 situation effectively,” said Tourism Solomons (acting) CEO Dagnal Dereveke, adding the decision would significantly enhance the appeal of the Solomons to prospective travellers.
“During the pandemic, which saw the Solomon Islands close its border for more than 800 days, Tourism Solomons worked closely with the Ministry of Culture & Tourism (MCT) to proactively promote safety and service excellence across the tourism sector.
“This involved introducing health and safety guidelines promoting hygiene facilities, maintaining cleanliness, monitoring activities and educating our people.
“Our main aim now is to continue to train our local tourism industry workforce to ensure they deliver a safe, healthy environment and experiences for our visitors.”
In a milestone moment for the country, the Solomon Islands will host the 2023 Pacific Games in November and with it, welcome thousands of athletes, support staff and spectators.
Last month, flag carrier Solomon Airlines appointed Airline Marketing Australia (AMA) to oversee all the carrier’s relationships with travel partners and agencies in Australia.