Tourism Solomons has been honoured by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) for maintaining over 50 years of continuous membership. The accolade was presented at the PATA 2026 Annual Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, where Acting CEO Dagnal Dereveke accepted the award on behalf of the national tourist office.

The recognition highlights the Solomon Islands' enduring commitment to regional tourism cooperation, a relationship that began in the early 1960s when the organisation was known as the Solomon Islands Tourism Authority. This association predates the Solomon Islands' independence from Great Britain in 1978, making it one of the few tourist boards to hold PATA membership during British colonial administration.

Dereveke acknowledged the contributions of past leaders, including former CEO Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto, who significantly raised the Solomon Islands' profile on the international tourism stage. Tuamoto's achievements were further recognised when he joined the PATA executive board in 2019. Additionally, Andrew Nihopara, a former Ministry of Culture & Tourism Permanent Secretary, was named PATA’s ‘Face of the Future’ in 2009.

The award not only celebrates Tourism Solomons' long-standing membership but also its contributions to the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industry. As the Solomon Islands continues to navigate growth and challenges in the sector, this recognition underscores its pivotal role in regional tourism

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