1 week Ago By Hezron Kising
Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Belden Namah has released a bold statement saying that “Tourism is the pot of gold for PNG” that has still remained unexplored in many parts of the country. The Minister made the statement during the opening of the first ever National Tourism Conference and Expo held in Port Moresby’s Hilton hotel. “Tourism in Papua New Guinea is not dead, tourism in Papua New Guinea is alive”, he said.
Mr. Namah added that the event is both historic and inaugural National Tourism since it is the first for the tourism sector in PNG. “Many people look to other sectors and they do not realized that tourism in the “pot of gold in our country”.
He admitted that there is a huge economic potential in PNG that is still yet to find its rightful place as a profound economy contributor towards the development of our country. “There are so many factors that affects tourism in PNG and these are challenges that we must face it together, deal with it together and create an environment that is more favorable, friendly, and conducive for our visitors to come to our country”. “I will not down play tourism potential in PNG by being too negative, be distress over lack of resources and funding.
Instead, I am duty bound as a patriot and cordially committed as the Minister responsible to convert these weaknesses into strength with whatever little we may have at our disposal to achieve “tourism is the pot of gold that is remained unexplored”. Tourism Promotional Authority (TPA) chief executive officer Eric Uvovo in his opening speech said “the National Conference is a critical moment where we unlock the full potential of tourism as a key economic driver for PNG”. “PNG is a country blessed with a wealth of natural beauty, divers cultures and rich traditions from the stunning landscapes of our highlands to the tropical warmth coastal regions, from our vibrate divers communities to our pristine ecosystems”.
“We have all the ingredients to become one of the world’s most top tourist destination. “Yet we know that the full realization of this potential requires more than just natural assets. It requires collaboration, investments and a shared vison of growth and sustainability”.
Mr Uvovo said “as we look forward into the future, tourism presents not only a unique opportunity to showcase our nations beauty and culture, but also a powerful pathway to economic transformation. “It (tourism) holds the key to create jobs, stimulating infrastructures development, and gathering sustainable revenue that will sustain all Papua New Guineans..
