The Solomon Islands is to welcome eight separate cruise visits this year, a 100 percent increase on its 2015 cruise schedule.

The chief executive of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, Josefa Tuamoto, said the increase was thanks to the efforts of the national tourist office, and support from the government and the local private sector.

He said a recent trip to Sydney also played a major role in the increase.

Mr Tuamoto said a Solomon Islands delegation met several key cruise industry players, specialist wholesale and retailer representatives and media as part of a concerted effort to thrust the Solomon Islands’ cruise potential into the spotlight.

He said tourism was fast emerging as a major driver for the country’s GDP, and the government had embarked on a vigorous process to seize on the opportunity tourism presents.