SOLOMON Islands has witnessed history been made with the visit of the first biggest cruise P&O Pacific Eden Cruise ship anchoring outside Gizo on Friday 30th September and berthing at Honiara’s new international Wharf a day later.
The boat carrying about 1500 passengers to Gizo and Honiara was the main talk, covering newspapers with tourists flooding the little town of Gizo and signing up to tour packages. One of the lucky family tourist businesses in Gizo that has tourists scrambling for packages is the eco – lodge business, Oravae Cottage at Sepo Island just outside Gizo.
SWN’s REGINA LEPPING talks with the assistant Manager of Oravae Cottage, young 23 year oldNagaritaBaea and finds out how such a tourist boat visit has boost her family’s local tourism business.
SWN: what kind of tour did Oravae Cottage give?
We organized our own tour, which is called the Oravae Island Tour. So the Oravae team and I set up a tour desk and sold tours at the MSG Building during P&O’s arrival. Our package includes such activities as swimming, snorkelling, surfing, coconut climbing, husking and also basket weaving. Most of our activities are water based around the island.
We talked a little about the history and culture of Gizo and the Western Province as a whole. But as we noticed most people just want to relax and have fun.
SWN: What other tours were there?
There are a number of sea and land tours that some of the other tour guides were responsible for but I mainly focused on the island tour.
SWN: As a young women working in the tourism business, how does this visit helps you personally?
As a female, it has given me a lot of opportunity to gain more experience in the field of tourism. It has given me a chance to use my skills and boost my confidence level in a lot of ways! Now that Solomon Islands has tapped into cruise tourism I feel that all women in the tourism sector will benefit and have something to show and be proud of.
SWN: Did your island tour package meet its aim?
Yes, definitely! The maximum we can cater for at the island was only 20 max due to water and toilet situations on the island. So we had 20 people on that island that day but we are looking for maybe around 40 max this month or so.
SWN: What are some of the feedbacks the tourists gave?
Well, the families that came over said it was a once in a lifetime experience and one that’s never to be forgotten! The natural beauty of Gizo and the Western province as a whole has a lot to offer and one family are already planning their trip back! So really good feedback. I’m really happy they enjoy the paradise experience we have to share.
