MINISTER for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, Hon Samson Maneka has acknowledged the government of New Zealand for upgrading and tar sealing both Nusa Tupe and Munda airports in Western Province.

He told Island Sun Gizo during his recent visit to Gizo that these are very crucial for tourism development.

“I want to acknowledge the government of Australia, through the partnership between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Australia High Commission, for its commitment to further stimulate the tourism industry in the Western Province.

“Tourism in Western Province has a lot of opportunities but also huge challenges.

“We have meaningful practical ideas and mechanisms to complement and value to what we had achieved so far in tourism industry,” said Hon Maneka.

Meanwhile, Hon Samson Maneka said that there is a need for all stakeholders, the government, the Western province, donor partners and tourism stakeholders to continue working hard together to raise the level of tourism in the Western Province to next level.