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Business |
Tourism strategy for EHP in place
Plan aims to make
province a major tourist destination
THE Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) yesterday presented a
five-year tourism plan to the Eastern Highlands provincial
government in a bid to make tourism in the province a partner in
economic development.
Kimson Kare, Shadow Internal Security Minister and TPA board
chairman, presented the plan to Governor Malcolm Smith-Kela at a
luncheon attended by business representatives, provincial
government officials and stakeholders.
Mr Kare said he hoped the plan would lure more foreign tourists to
Eastern Highlands.
He commended PNGTPA for its “vision and foresight” for piloting
the model-provinces concept of promoting tourism in the country.
Mr Kare said the plan had captured the tourism vision, strategies
and objectives of Eastern Highlands province that would harness
its unique and abundant natural resources.
It would also develop the province’s rich culture and participate
in sustainable and distinctive tourism experiences that satisfy
visitors and in the process benefit the local communities, he
said.
“It is indeed a mammoth challenge for the province and its people
to fully realise this vision so soon, but I am confident that
given your established tourism infrastructure like airports, roads
and hotels, you are well-placed to move on ahead of others,” Mr
Kare told his audience.
The five-province tourism models are New Ireland, East New
Britain, Madang, Eastern Highlands and Milne Bay.
Under the concept, the programme has also been designed to
compliment and strengthen the Government’s medium-term development
strategies (MTDS), the PNG national tourism policy, the TPA
2004-2009 strategic plan and the national tourism master plan
(2007-2017).
 
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