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The elusive tourism dollar; so near yet so far

THE following two sentences could be a regurgitation of a tired old cliché but what follows could not prevent the temptation.
There is no money and socio-economic gain in pitched tribal clashes in the middle of so-called civilised towns and cities in PNG. But there is money and socio-economic gain in engaging in ventures such as tourism.
Below is an anecdote.
Two large cruise ships visited Madang over the last two weeks.
The recent one being the Seven Seas Voyager, with its 750 passengers, which berthed in the Madang harbour last Sunday morning.
The Seven Seas Voyager was in Madang most of Sunday and resumed her voyage later that evening.
The first was the Silver Whisper, which called in the previous Saturday and spent similar amount of time in the resort town.
Hundreds of passengers of both cruise ships took the chance to explore Madang town and its surroundings and sample the culture and way of life. They also bought local art and craft.
The local craftsmen and women lined both sides of the dirt road leading to the wharf selling their wares. Most were not disappointed as they made money in kina and US dollar notes.
The local contact of the ships, Melanesian Tourist Services, provided guided tours for the passengers and crew of both ships.
The tourists were ferried around the locales in buses hired by MTS from the local community.
The bus owners made money that would not otherwise come by without the arrival of the ships.
The drivers, guides and other support staff in Madang also made money during the two days.
The business also extended to local shops and other service providers.
The port authority and Customs also made some ºmoney from the ships docking at a PNG wharf.
These were two occasions where Papua New Guinea and its cultures, people and natural surroundings were exposed to hundreds of foreign tourists in one hit.
Here was a captive audience which was much enraptured and enlightened by their experiences and no doubt would talk about their impressions and how unique and splendid this country and its people are, for many years to come.
One could assume that this is the scenario with all cruise ship and visitors over the years as these were not the first times for MTS – a registered international agent – to host them.
The two huge ships – though not the world’s largest – were also an attraction for the local community, particularly the new arrivals to Madang, who are not used to such ships.
An MTS staff member said the two ships were among several that are expected to call into Madang throughout the year.
MTS is a licensed international cruise ship agent and have hosted many over the years.
But the number of cruise ships that PNG receives annually is not near enough to that which visits the Caribbean Islands.
MTS owner Sir Peter Barter has, in the past, lamented about PNG’s inability to receive as many cruise ships as other tourist destinations.
The reasons are many and varied.
Bad press for some of our stupidity such as the one alluded to at the opening of this commentary is one. And there are others reasons such as the lack of tourism infrastructure.
The latter though was visible at the Madang wharf – here were two international cruise ships being received at the wharf set-up that is meant for handling cargo.
Watching the two cruise ships make their port of call and spend money for about eight hours each, you wished they would come frequently and allow our people to make money.