Named for a town in Spain by Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendaña, Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands is home to the capital city Honiara. The tropical rainforest, spectacular waterfalls and peaceful lagoons on the island were the backdrop to one of the most important World War II battles, and Honiara was first established as a military base. The people of the Solomon Islands, renowned for their respect for their traditions, are likely to oppose a proposal to license a third casino, presently not permitted under Solomon Islands law.

The Islands, part of the Melanesian island chain, is a three-hour flight from Australia and the Papua New Guinea based Constantinou Group have acquired the National Arts Gallery. The Solomon Islands Government last year approved the construction of a major new hotel on the beachfront grounds of the old Government House, and Constantinou is renovating the property whilst maintaining the public art gallery and building the luxury Heritage Park Hotel around it. The company paid around US$1.15 million for the site.

Ethnic conflict in 2000 left the Solomon Islands in need of a boost to its tourist industry but the sale of the former Government House led to much protest. The announcement that the government is now working to amend the law that was passed by public demand to limit casinos to two is bound to cause controversy. Constantou is apparently ‘demanding’ that a casino licence is issued before it starts developing the site at a cost of some US$8 million. (E-09.30.05)

© Copyright 2005 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage