By JASON SOM KAUT
MOROBE saw a record number of overseas visitors in 2006 but most were related to business.
More than 70% (5,554) of the 7,122 visitors to Morobe were on business, followed by 1,082 visitors on holiday.
According to the Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA), visitor numbers swelled for most of the 19 provinces as well.
In 2005, there was a total of 5,741 visitors. Of these, 3,557 were on business, 1,764 on holiday, 404 visited family and friends while 16 came for other reasons.
In 2006, 112 visitors entered Lae to attend meetings and conferences, 376 to visit family and friends and eight for other reasons.
Visitor numbers increased since 2002 but was not consistent, with 704 in 2002, 627 in 2003, a jump to 1,296 in 2004 and a drop again to 672 in 2005.
An officer involved in tourism in Morobe said despite increasing visitor numbers, full tourism potential was not realised due to lack of coordination.
The officer said there was not enough funding support to promote tourism and tourism market.
Most tourists went to Morobe to trek WWII tracks like Bulldog Track from Menyamya to Kerema in the Gulf province.
Another famous track, the Black Cat Trail, from Wau to Salamaua was currently being developed by the Morobe Tourism Bureau (MTB).
Other tourism activities included the Watut White Water Rafting and the Labu Ecology lodge which will be the focus of MTB this year.
Lack of funding, manpower, reliable communication and a better and cheaper road network, was also hindering the MTB in fully promoting tourism in the province.