Solomon Islands Agritourism Policy Setting Workshop 2017
Policy setting for improved linkages between agriculture, trade and tourism:
Strengthening the local agrifood sector and promoting healthy food in agritourism
Workshop organised by the Government of Solomon Islands
in collaboration with PIPSO, SPTO, CTA, IFAD, SPC
Honiara, Solomon Islands, 21 – 22 November 2017
Tourism is the lifeblood of many Pacific economies and agritourism provides a promising avenue for diversification and trade growth. High quality, nutritious and healthy food, available every day of the year, is critical to hotels, lodges and resorts. Often the food-purchasing bill of a tourism site is large in comparison to the size of the local economy, yet surprisingly little of this is spent locally, even when supplies are available from farmers, fishermen and small-scale agribusinesses. The challenges of shifting food-sourcing to local suppliers are considerable – achieving this in a way that meets commercial needs and customer preferences, and meets food and safety requirements, would be one way in which tourism operations can significantly increase their contribution to local economic development.
Tourism has long been touted as having the potential to lead economic development in the Solomon Islands. On many occasions since independence, governments have proposed ambitious visitor number targets, and have always fallen short. However for the last three years, there are promising signs of increase in tourist arrivals. According to Joe Tuamoto, the CEO for Solomon is Visitors Bureau, international visitation in 2016 increased by 7.3 per cent on the previous year when speaking to the Business Advantage in PNG. He added that it was the third year in a row that numbers have risen. The Solomon Islands Government expects that tourism, which is currently one of the country’s top five economic pillars, to become the number one source of foreign exchange earnings within the next five-to-10 years. Priority is now being placed on tourism development and an effort is being taken to facilitate growth under the country’s National Tourism Policy, as well as bring focus to bear on upgrading tourism accommodation and product
In view of the positive experience of Vanuatu and Samoa and the greater opportunities in agriculture and tourism in Solomon Is, it recommended supporting an Agritourism policy-setting for Solomon Is which will develop further linkages between agriculture, trade and tourism sectors to support local businesses in serving tourism-related markets.
New! on Agritourism in the Solomon Islands
Press Coverage Solomon Islands Agritourism Policy Setting Workshop 2017
Background Note & Programme
Highlights
Draft Biodata of Speakers
Photos
Resources
– Solomon Islands International Visitor Survey 2016 (June 2017)
– Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2017 Solomon Islands (2017)
– Solomon Islands Growth Program Investment Design Document (2017)
– Solomon Islands Government National Development Strategy 2016 to 2035 (2016)
– Productive Capacity and Trade in the Solomon Islands (June 2016)
– The Solomon Islands National Tourism Development Strategy 2015 – 2019 (2015)
– Livelihoods, markets, and gender roles in Solomon Islands: Case studies from Western and Isabel Province (2015)
– Solomon Islands Air Visitor Survey (2014)
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Tuesday 21st November 2017
8h30-9h00 Registration
9h00-9h15 Opening Address
Honourable Minister of Culture & Tourism, Hon. Bartholomew Parapolo
9h15-11h Session 1: Setting the scene: what do we know about opportunities to support linkages between agriculture, trade, tourism and health
This session will set the scene on the opportunities that the tourism sector can bring and the needed linkages with other sectors such as agriculture and trade. It will look at successful models in other countries and regions and what could of interest to Solomon Island agritourism policy.
Moderator: Solomon Islands
– Setting the scene: Agritourism Policy for Solomon Islands
Permanent Secretary Agriculture & Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Solomon Islands [presentation]
– Global trends and evolution of agritourism and food tourism
Isolina Boto, Manager, CTA Brussels Office
– Promoting Food Tourism and Strengthening Chefs’ Skills Across the Pacific
Josefa Tuamoto, Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) and SPTO Board
– Agritourism Development in the Pacific
Kristyn Lobendahn, Programme Officer, PIPSO [presentation]
– Learning from Asian successes
Ron Hartman, Country Director, IFAD South East Asia and the Pacific Sub-Regional Office (tbc)
Moderated discussion on key messages for Solomon Island context
11h00-11h15 Coffee Break
11h15-13h00 The Solomon Is context: Opportunities for Agritourism Development
This session will look at the Solomon Is context. It aims at reaching a better common understanding of the opportunities in agritourism in Solomon Islands. It will assess the situation in the key areas important to set up an agritourism policy.
Moderator: Solomon Island
– Overview of tourism development and opportunities for greater connection with the agriculture industry at policy level
Permanent Secretary of Culture & Tourism [presentation]
– Overview of main agricultural and fisheries fresh and processed products with potential for the tourism-related markets
Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock
– International Tourists Expectation
Josefa Tuamoto, Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) and SPTO Board
– Gaps and opportunities for market linkages of agricultural products supplies to the Solomon Is tourist markets
Dennis Meone, CEO Solomon Is Chamber of Commerce [presentation]
13h00-14h00 Lunch
14h00 – 16h00 Product Development and Branding
This session will discuss key areas to promote quality product development and branding quality for the tourism-markets and will present specific examples of success.
– Challenges and Opportunities of supplying certified fresh and added-value food to the hospitality sector –What can be done better at Policy Level?
Ministry of Agriculture and private sector
– Building seafood supplies to the Tourism Industry
David Fatai, Honiara Fish Exporters in Solomon Islands
– Linking farmers to Agribusiness for Quality products
Dr Shane Tutua, Kastom Garden
16h00-17h30 Working groups in each of the three areas to identify key elements of the strategy/policy on agritourism and proposed actions. Identify three key areas for priority development and support
Wednesday 22nd November 2017
9h00-13h00 Session 2: Promoting Agritourism through Value Addition, Value Chains and Safety standards
9h15-11h00 Session continues
– Building a Brand: experiences and lessons learned
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade [presentation]
– Building and Branding Niche Tourism Products
Private sector example
– Building Food Tourism in Solomon Island – What needs to be done?
Colin Chung, Chef, Fiji [presentation]
– Product Development and Branding: experiences from other regions
Ena Harvey, Agritourism expert, IICA
11h00-11h15 Coffee Break
– Building Sustainable Value Chains in Solomon Is to Support the Tourism Industry
Kylie Stice, PIFON
– Benefits and Opportunities for Value Addition Product Development [presentation]
– Importance of Food Safety Standards in Agritourism – Benefits and what must be done? [presentation]
Apiame Cegumalua/David Haberfield, Food Safety Expert
13h00-14h00 Lunch
14h00- 16h00 Chefs for Development: the link between agriculture & cuisine
This session will look at the role of chefs and the hospitality sector in stimulating demand of local products and its use by chefs. It will share experiences from other regions and contribute to the Chefs for Development Platform.
– Trends and expectations of international visitors
Kelera Cavuilati, Executive Adviser, SPTO [presentation]
– Best practices and new opportunities in sourcing local food by the Chefs and linking with agribusiness actors
Solomon Island Chef
– Promoting Food festivals and Food celebrations
Experience from Solomon Islands
Experience from Vanuatu
14h00-17h30 Agritourism Policy Consideration and Priority Developments – Group Presentations
Key elements of the strategy/policy on agritourism and proposed actions. Identify 3 key areas for priority development and support
Conclusion—Moderator provides concluding remarks focusing on agreed future actions
