HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS — 2 NOVEMBER 2026
The tourism strategy of the Solomon Islands is not merely about luxury resorts and costly marketing, but rather it is based on the idea of the significance of the national identity. The country has launched country-based efforts to use its rich culture, hospitality, and beautiful nature.
The idea of national identity was introduced to the SPTO Board of Directors and the Tourism Ministers of the South Pacific by Anthony Langston, the Chair of the Tourism Board of the Islands, on 22nd October, 2026. The gathering took place at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara. As stated by Langston, the return of the authentic “Hapi Isles” brand is not simply a matter of nostalgia since the government aims to achieve a position that is really in line with the spirit, culture, and traditions of the local population.
The term “Hapi Isles” has a rich historical meaning in the local language. It first appeared in print in the 1965 book The Happy Isles: A Diary of the Solomons, written by Dick C. Horton, a former British District Officer and wartime Coastwatcher. Expressed in Solomon Islands Pijin, the term has evolved naturally over the decades from an early marketing concept into an everyday colloquialism that captures the warm hospitality and cultural essence of the nation.
Tourism Solomons is now reinterpreting tension as the phrase gains international recognition: Hapi Isles—Real, Rare, Raw. According to Andrew Nihopara, the CEO of the company, the campaign looks for distinctive activities different from the rest of the established resorts offering world-class diving and coral reefs, marine life, uncrowded surf breaks, rainforest trekking, etc. The total number of the islands is 992, while the number of inhabited islands is 147.
The new branding will come with a new logo that will replace the baseball dugout canoe logo and name “Soloman Islands” that were presented in 2018. The logo has nine shapes—an island and shell that embody the nine provinces of the Solomon Islands and refer to shell money. The color scheme of the new logo is blue, yellow, and green, the colors taken from the national flag, and it was designed by the Australian company Grin Creative.
The difficulty lies in the matter of whether the rebranded image will have a positive impact on local people, businesses, and nature conservation. The Solomon Islands are focused more on the idea of selling their guests not just beautiful places but also exciting impressions that are based on local traditions.
