CRUISE TOURISM DRIVES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AROB

Bb Vonu LIBITINO

TOURISM continues to thrive in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), despite the economic downturn in Papua New Guinea.

One of AROB’s leading tour companies, Bougainville Experience Tours (BET), is making the best of this, by hosting international visitors arriving on cruise ships.

Mr. Zhon Bosco Miriona, BET’s Manager, a Bougainvillean himself, has nearly 15 years of experience as a tour operator.

He said tourism benefits everyone, echoing the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s motto: ‘Tourism is everyone’s business.’

“I was on board the True North. We went around some atolls here in Bougainville and then onto Alotau and I returned via Port Moresby,” Zhon said, recounting his latest adventure onboard a luxury cruise ship.

According to its official website, the ‘True North’ is a purpose-built luxury expedition ship, fully equipped with a helicopter, speed boat, a highly experienced crew, and local tour guides. It boasts an intimate and refined travel experience for its clients.”

The ‘True North’ is one of more than 12 cruise ships that brought in 24,000 tourists to Papua New Guinea in 2024, based on statistics from the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA).

“We are expecting two more cruise ships this March,” Zhon said, pointing to the start of another busy year in cruise tourism in AROB.

Zhon said Bougainville and its people, having gone through a civil war and seen the destruction of the extractive industry on their natural environment, are now focused on sustainable economic development with tourism at the very center.

“I would like to thank our regional member Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, for backing tourism, with the development of the tourism policy and for funding tourism awareness as well,” Zhon said.

Over the recent Christmas season, BET through Zhon, had the privilege of hosting the Prime Minister James Marape, his wife Rachel Marape, the AROB Regional Member Peter Tsiamalili and Minister for Bougainville Affairs Mannaseh Makiba.

Picture Caption: Mr Zhon Bosco Miriona posed for a picture with the Prime Minister James Marape during his recent visit to Bougainville.

Picture Supplied.