Cultural group entertaining both Ministers at the front Gizo Hotel yesterday

THE Council of Tourism Ministers (CTM) meeting kicks off today in Gizo.

The conference convenes the national Minster of Tourism Hon Bartholomew Parapolo, provincial tourism ministers and their provincial secretaries.

The theme of this year’s CTM is ‘Sustenabol Tourism fo future grot’, with the national tourism minister being the chair.

The official welcome ceremony was held yesterday at the MSG building led by Western Province Premier Hon Wayne Maepio and a short briefing for STOM delegates.

Minister of Tourism and Culture Hon Bartholomew Parapolo is expected to give his keynote address at today’s opening ceremony and to officially declare the opening programme of the Council of Tourism Ministers meeting at the Gizo Hotel.

Part of the delegates and Ministers during their welcome show along the Gizo Town Street yesterday

Chief Tourism officer Jeffson Patovaki welcomes the Ministers at Gizo hotel Jetty yesterday

Meanwhile, a cultural group from Ranonga Island Kovara escorted the delegates from Nusatupe down to Gizo hotel Jetty.

Minister of Tourism and Culture Hon Bartholomew Parapolo with his Permanent Secretary Andrew Nihopora and Western Province Premier Hon Wayne Maepio onboard the Traditional canoe (Tomoko) from Nusatupe to Gizo yesterday.

A colourful Western traditional culture was performed during the Ministers arrival at the Nusatupe airstrip and Gizo MSG building during a brief ceremony.

The Council of Tourism Ministers meeting concludes tomorrow.