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THE number of visitors to the 2007 Tourism
Expo has disappointed organisers who looked for reasons to explain the
lower than expected turnout.
PNG Tourism Industry Association (PNGTIA) president Michael Buleau told
a closing dinner in Port Moresby last Saturday that the number of
visitors had not reached the 3,000 mark as anticipated.
Mr Buleau said this could be a result of:
*The reduction in the number of exhibitors due
to the unavailability of space at the Kumul Room at the Holiday Inn
Hotel;
*Failure to invite major overseas wholesalers
by the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority;
*Programme not extended to cover the weekend
business houses; and
*TPA’s withdrawal of expo funds despite
initial approval.
Mr Buleau said to overcome a similar situation in 2008, it would be
necessary to appoint the expo committee members to immediately commence
preparatory work.
He said the committee would be tasked to investigate the possibility of
relocating the expo to a much bigger venue to allow for more members to
participate.
The committee would also work closely with TPA to ensure overseas
wholesalers were given more time and to hold the event on a weekend.
Mr Beuleau said they would work to avoid financial hiccups as
experienced when TPA withdrew its support of the expo halfway into the
preparation.
He noted the production of the tourism master plan by PNGTPA but
questioned whether “the implementation agencies have the necessary
experience and commitment to drive and advance this very important
development forward”.
 
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