Front left to right Minister for Tourism and Culture Bartholomew Parapolo and Hon Maepio chart together while cultural group from Ranonga Island Kovara escorting the delegates to MSG building.

WESTERN province Premier Wayne Maepio yesterday welcomed the national minister of tourism and his permanent secretary, and provincial tourism ministers and their provincial secretaries yesterday to this year’s Council of Tourism Ministers meeting, hosted in Gizo.

“I would like to welcome you all, feel welcome and all welcome. Feel at home and may you feel the West, love west and enjoy the Western Province.

“It is with special privilege that we have you as our guest for the duration of this Council of Ministers meeting host in our provincial capital town in Gizo.”

He conveyed the warm greetings and acknowledgements by his people to the leaders.

He explained that “our province and our nation Solomon Islands. Our people throughout the nation are being part of the Tourism industry, particularly through the rural advancement policy initiatives being instigated by the governments and the people in tourism industry”.