Australian airline, SkyAirWorld, has won a redevelopment bid for Anuha Island in Solomon Islands, as part of a plan to attract more international tourists to the region.
The airline signed a leasing agreement with the Solomon Island's government earlier this week, up until the year 2070.The tender win follows SkyAirWorld's proposal to build the country's first four-star accommodation with a 150-room luxury resort on Anuha Island.
The resort development is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2009, with primary stages being completed as early as October.
It is likely that the new development will boost international tourism by up to 6,000 people annually and create over 100 new jobs for local Solomon Islanders.
"The Solomon Islands boasts so many fantastic tourism opportunities, but to date the country has not been able to offer the accommodation infrastructure to support larger scale tourism," SkyAirWorld CEO David Charlton said.
"Our development will fill a gap in the current market and open the Solomon Islands up to international travellers to enjoy the country's many unique attractions," Mr Charlton said.
"The resort will cater for all types of tourists, including families, adventure-seekers and romantic escapes, and offer a luxury day-spa, water activities, kids club and adventure sports. Built to international standards, it will include over-water bungalows, beachfront villas and hillside family rooms, and be suitable for corporate bookings.
"We will be building an outstanding resort in a prime location, with flexible and reliable domestic transfers that mean Australian travellers flying direct from Brisbane can be in an amazing paradise within five hours," Mr Charlton said.
Situated in the Florida Islands, 70 kilometres and a 15-minute flight north-east of the capital, Honiara, Anuha Island has its own airstrip, which will accommodate a SkyAirWorld domestic service.
SkyAirWorld will also offer sea transfers from Honiara to Ahuha, which is surrounded by a shallow lagoon and coral reefs.
"SkyAirWorld is deeply committed to developing tourism in the Solomon Islands and we are looking forward to working with local landowners to redevelop Anuha Island as one of the country's prime tourism assets," Mr Charlton concluded.
Source: e-Travel Blackboard (press release)