We wish to respond to the news item entitled “Tax revolt” which appeared under the Whispers’ column in the March 2009 issue.
While we appreciate the right of your sources to freedom of speech, we would like to put certain things into their proper perspectives.
Far from being amusing, your sources have unwittingly revealed a serious breach of Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau Act 1996 and Regulations 1999 by “some accommodation operators” in Gizo, Western Province, in the way they deliberately withhold bed taxes which they are obligated under the above laws to remit to Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau.
Your sources have also opened an avenue for those accommodation operators to be charged for stealing under the country’s Penal Code in the way they collect those bed taxes from their hotel and motel guests and withhold them from the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau.
And if your sources are actively engaged in encouraging and abetting the actions of these few accommodation operators in Gizo to collect bed taxes from hotel and motel guests and withhold them from Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, your sources are in for a tough ride.
Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau is now investigating the information and will seek legal advice from its lawyer on the matter.
On your sources’ criticism of Solomon Island Visitors Bureau’s performance, we have achieved a lot for Solomon Islands under the most difficult period the country has ever experienced.
We will continue to do our best with the limited resources at our disposal. And we wish to be judged in that light than by someone in disguise sneaking into our office to see whether we are at our desk.


Michael Tokuru
General Manager
Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau
SOLOMON ISLANDS