Tourism Solomons (TS) has appointed Andrew Nihopara as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Nihopara brings a wealth of experience to the role at a time when the national tourist office looks to strengthen the destination’s visibility and further grow international visitor markets.
The new CEO is a senior tourism and public sector leader with more than two decades of experience spanning Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific.
Mr Nihopara served as Head of Marketing for TS from 2001 to 2004 and from 2006-2011 functioned as Marketing Manager and Deputy CEO of the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) based in Suva, Fiji.
During that time, he was named the Pacific-Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) ‘Face of the Future’.
Tony Langston, TS Board Chairman, said Mr Nihopara’s extensive regional experience, strategic leadership and established profile across the Asia-Pacific tourism sector would be a significant asset as Solomon Islands seeks to strengthen its international tourism presence.
Among other professional engagements Mr Nihopara has also held the position of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) in Solomon Islands, where he was involved in policy development and implementation related to tourism growth in the country.
His academic credentials include a Master of Commerce in Management & Public Administration and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management & Public Administration from the University of South Pacific (USP), and a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University, New Zealand.
With the TS CEO position vacant for more than five years, his appointment marks a significant milestone for the organisation and follows a rigorous recruitment process.
Main image: Pictured standing (from L-R) Tourism Solomons Head of Corporate Services, Dagnal Dereveke; Tourism Solomons Board Director, John Foimua; Tourism Solomons Board Director, Zaccheus Sepo, and Tourism Solomons Head of Sales & Marketing, Fiona Teama.
Seated: Tourism Solomons CEO, Andrew Nihopara (on left) and Tourism Solomons Board Chairman, Tony Langston.
