Aromawan Religious Pilgrimage, one of Malaita’s most popular tourism destinations, is set to expand its accommodation through a new partnership with Australia to cater for growing visitor demand.
The family-owned religious tourism site, located about 90 minutes from Auki, has become one of Solomon Islands’ leading faith-based destinations since it was established in 1980.
It is the country’s only dedicated religious tourism site with a strong international following and forms part of a global network of prayer centres.
Aromawan Religious Pilgrimage
Each year, Aromawan hosts major events, including the Feast of the Tabernacle and Passover celebrations, attracting more than 1,300 local and overseas visitors. The site also welcomes between 15 and 60 guests each week, with overall visitor numbers increasing by 40 per cent since 2024.
To meet the growing demand, the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership will co-fund the construction and fit-out of six new bungalows, increasing the site’s accommodation capacity and boosting its earning potential.
The project is also expected to benefit nearby farmers, fishers and transport operators who supply goods and services to visiting guests.
Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said the investment reflects Australia’s commitment to supporting local tourism businesses and expanding tourism opportunities across Solomon Islands.
“By co-investing in tourism infrastructure, we’re helping Indigenous businesses grow, creating jobs and more opportunities for communities, particularly in the provinces,” Roach said.
North Malaita MP and Minister for Rural Development Daniel Waneoroa said the additional accommodation would remove a key constraint on the business and position it for future growth.
activities offered at Aromawan.
“We look forward to strengthening this partnership further to boost tourism development at the provincial level, especially in North Malaita Constituency,” Waneoroa said.
Aromawan Religious Pilgrimage representative Michelle Maeliau said the site’s existing accommodation could no longer keep pace with visitor demand.
“The six new bungalows will enable us to accommodate more visitors while also supporting the wider community by bringing more business to nearby farmers, fishers and transport operators,” she said.
Australia says this project forms part of its broader support for tourism operators across Solomon Islands to strengthen the sector and attract more visitors to the country.
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