TOURISM RE-FOCUSES STRATEGY TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

THE recently launched National Tourism Policy is set to focus on sustainability

The National Tourism policy was a result of the collaboration between the TPA Policy and Strategic partnership division, the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand.

The policy focus areas include, Environment Sustainability, Cultural heritage Preservation and promotion, empowerment of resource custodians, inclusive economic growth and resilience building.

PNG TPA Chief Executive Officer, Eric Mossman Uvovo says Tourism has the potential to stimulate growth, create jobs and business opportunities and improve livelihoods.

“For the first time, this new policy recognises the resource custodians of the tourism products, especially important role in decision making for the tourism development” Mr Uvovo said.

Mr Uvovo said Tourism is a sustainable economic sector that can be catalyst for environment and cultural protection for future generations.

Minster for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Belden Norman Namah has reiterated that Tourism has huge potential to boost PNG’s economy, however, the national government is not realising its full potential.

“I think that the major economic enablers are Tourism, Forestry, Agriculture and fisheries, these are very important organs to drive the economy of our country” Minster Namah said.

Minster Namah said he will make it his business to see this new policy come into full fruition.

Notably, last month, TPA welcomed its new board that will provides strategic oversight and governance for an organization going forward, repositioning the tourism sector for the next 20 years.

The first Papua New Guinean National Tourism policy was launched in 1995 after the establishment of the TPA in 1993 and after 30 years, TPA launched the National Tourism Policy.