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Tourism potential
I am writing in response to your article ‘Solomons on an Impressive Run’ (July 2007) by Dev Nadkarni.
He states on page 29 that the Solomon Islands...“is perhaps the only country that does not have a tourism strategy that is central to its economy, despite fabulous potential.”
This is incorrect. I was contracted through the Commonwealth Secretariat to update and review the ‘Solomon Islands Tourism Development Plan 1991 to 2000’, between November 2005 and June 2006.
I undertook numerous and broad consultations with government officials, private sector operators, community representatives, NGOs, financial institutions and aid donors, including RAMSI officials.
This also included numerous field trips throughout five of the nine provinces. Stakeholder workshops were also conducted to receive feedback at various stages.
The final document entitled ‘Solomon Islands Tourism Sector Strategic Plan’ was presented and officially accepted by the Ministry of Tourism in July 2006.
Some 200 copies were printed and delivered for distribution amongst the relevant stakeholders.
My understanding is that the Ministry of Tourism, with further support through AusAID, began implementing the recommended ‘Action Plan’ from July 2006 and continue to do so.
—Geoff Hyde
Director, Sustainable Tourism International
FIJI
Norfolk—Did You Know
I refer to a piece in last month’s issue titled ‘Did You Know’ and I would like to assist with the historical details pertaining to the HMS Bounty of the Captain Cook fame in the late 1700s. Please note it was Captain William Bligh not Cook as your informative article reflected. The only connection that Captain Cook had with the above historical voyage was the fact that Bligh sailed under the great navigator and cartographer as an officer. Finally, please keep up the good work. I certainly enjoy reading your excellent magazine.
—Maile Mokofisi
Radio A3Z
TONGA
In your “Did you Know” item about Norfolk and I quote from the second paragraph “...HMS Bounty, the famous ship commandeered by Captain Cook in the late 1700s”. Captain Cook was many things but a mutineer he was not. We, in the Cook Islands, feel honoured to be the only nation in the world to be named after the world’s greatest explorer, navigator and cartographer.
—Jean Mason
Coordinator and Curator
Cook Islands Library and Museum Society COOK ISLANDS
We erred!
In our enthusiasm over the enigmatic Norfolk Islands, we mistakenly associated the island’s rich history with Captain James Cook in an article in last month’s issue. We acknowledge this mistake, which has also been brought to our attention by our discerning readers. The majority of Norfolk Islanders are actually linked to the Captain William Bligh fame. Captain Bligh set sail from England on HMS Bounty on December 23, 1787 and the rest, as they say, is history.
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