Rabaul’s tourism push
The East New Britain Provincial Government is supportive of the National Government’s initiative of making Rabaul the tourism hub of Papua New Guinea.
Early this year, the provincial government released PGK1.5million to the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) to promote and expand tourism in East New Britain.
The funding will be used over three years.
The PNGTPA started with a meeting in Kokopo recently where it discussed tourism issues with the industry, including Air Niugini, hoteliers, tour operators and other local businesses.
Project manager, Kayleen Allen from TPA Australia, said that in order to make Rabaul the tourism capital, it is important to train the industry workforce up to the standard at which it can take in international guests.
“We need a holistic approach, hard work and commitment from everyone here in East New Britain. We must all work together to make this happen. Over the threeyear period, we will be looking at how customer services are being provided here in East New Britain, the pricing structure in the hotel industry, tour packages, scheduling, expectations of customers, training, law and order and many other areas. We will be working with everyone to make this happen.”
Last May, Air Niugini commited to supporting the government’s initiative when it implemented twice-weekly Q400 direct flights between Rabaul and Cairns.
The National Government’s initiative is to make Rabaul the tourism hub of PNG, Lae the industrial centre, Mt Hagen the agricultural capital and Port Moresby the administration centre of the country. ■