Representatives of the country’s Government Services Integration Committee (GSIC) held a meeting with Honiara City Tourism Association executive members as well as Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Honiara City Council officials earlier this week, as reported by the Solomon Star.

The meeting, entitled "Safe and Green Games", was staged at the Heritage Park Hotel and saw officials assess preparations for the Pacific Games.

Discussions centred on hotels which are set to accommodate thousands of visitors and athletes arriving in Honiara for the Games.

Bernard Bataanisia, chair and coordinator of GSIC that is overseeing the Government’s preparations for Solomon Islands 2023, stressed the importance of engaging with hotel chiefs to help deliver the event next year.

Sanjay Bhargava, head of the Honiara City Tourism Association and general manager of the Heritage Park Hotel, said he was pleased to have the chance to cooperate with the Government and vowed to support its efforts to clean up the city for the Games.

"Apart from providing accommodation to the visiting athletes and officials from the region and overseas, the association also have a keen interest to ensure our city is cleaned and greened for the Games," said Bhargava.

Dennis Marita, director of culture in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, also spoke about plans to improve the Museum Auditorium and Art Gallery for the Pacific Games 2023.

Preparations for the Games, scheduled to be held from November 19 to December 2 next year, appear to be on track despite concerns over the Solomon Islands’ financial state.

The country has been warned by the World Bank that its debt levels will become "unsustainable" if it does not undergo fiscal reforms.

Its economic situation looks bleak with fears that public debt could reach 35 per cent of gross domestic product by 2026 unless action is taken.