Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546515
TOURISM SOLOMONS ANNOUNCES ANDREW NIHOPARA AS NEW CEO Tourism Solomons (TS) has appointed Andrew Nihopara as its new Chief Executive Officer. Nihopara is expected to commence his duties on September 7, 2026. Announcing the decision, TS Board Chairman, Tony Langston said Mr. Nihopara's extensive region- al experience, strategic leadership and established profile across the Asia-Pacific tourism sector would be a significant asset as Solomon Islands seeks to strengthen its international tourism presence. Pictured standing (from L-R) Tourism Solomons Head of Corporate Services, Dagnal Dereveke; Tourism Solomons Board Director, John Foimua; Tourism Solomons Board Director, Zaccheus Sepo, and Tourism Solomons Head of Sales & Marketing, Fiona Teama. Seated Tourism Solomons CEO, Andrew Nihopara (on left) and Tourism Solomons Board Chairman, Tony Langston. As a senior tourism and public-sector leader with more than two decades of experience spanning Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific, Mr. Nihopara brings a wealth of experience to the role at a time as the national tourist office looks to strengthen the des- tination's visibility and further grow international vis- itor markets. Mr. Nihopara served as Head of Marketing for TS from 2001 to 2004 and from 2006-2011 functioned as Marketing Manager and Deputy CEO of the Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) based in Suva, Fiji. During that time, he was named the Pacific-Asia Travel Association's (PATA) 'Face of the Future'. Amongst other professional engagements he has also held the position of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) in Solomon Islands, where he was involved in policy development and implementation related to tourism growth in the country. Mr. Nihopara's academic credentials include a Master of Commerce in Management & Public Administration and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management & Public Administration from the University of South Pacific (USP), and a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University, New Zealand. With the TS CEO position vacant for over five years, his appointment marks a significant milestone for the organization and follows a rigorous recruit- ment process conducted by KPMG Fiji and a three- member select committee appointed by the new TS Board on 09 July 2026. Congratulating Mr. Nihopara and wishing him every success, Mr. Langston said he and his board looked forward to working with the new CEO. B M & T ••• September/October 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 29 N E W S M A K E R S