The pandemic has indeed affected the tourism industry in the country.
This was according to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Isi Henry Leonard who said that the travel restrictions has brought less international tourists to enter the country and has caused fewer tourism activities.
However, he said that it is important to promote local tourism and activities in the country.
“Our local tourism sector is also affected but not to that extent,” he said. “So we should now put more emphasis on local tourism by ensuring support in terms of travel and mobility within the country.”
He added that a national plan was already in the works to align tourism in the country after the ill effects of the pandemic.
“I think the plan should provide the way forward for tourism to rise above the Covid-19 challenges in the tourism sector,” he said. “We need to protect the tourism sector by devising possible solutions and strategies to ensure the sector continues to be promoted and maintained. So for me, I think we should emphasis more on local tourism by bringing programs and activities back to where the people are.”
Once the plan is finalised, he said that they will seek the support of the National Executive Council.
