PNGTIA calls for ’08 budget review

THE PNG Tourism Industry Association (PNGTIA) has called on the Government to review funding allocation to the tourism sector in the 2008 Budget.
PNGTIA president Michael Buleau said after positive growth in the past four years, tourism development was in real danger of stagnating if the situation was not rectified.
Mr Buleau was particularly concerned that no funds were allocated towards the implementation of the National Tourism Master Plan (2007-2017) although the Government had promised.
“Last May, the National Executive Council (NEC) approved in principle the tourism master plan for immediate implementation and promised K39 million funding over the next three years,” he said.
“The NEC decision was widely publicised in the media with K13 million to be allocated each year beginning in 2008.
“Unfortunately, it is indeed sad to note that there is no such appropriations in the 2008 Budget,” he said.
He urged the Government to review its funding for tourism and provide the K13 million it promised.
Mr Buleau said the master plan was developed with funding assistance by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Department of Treasury.
“The plan provided a roadmap for tourism development over the next 10 years.
“It covers key areas such as marketing the destination, investment incentives and product development, transport and infrastructure, human resource development, and institution and industry partnership,” he said.
Mr Buleau also warned that the recently launched K2 million tourism credit facility by TPA and National Development Bank for small to medium Papua New Guineans tourism operators was also in danger because there had been no further allocation for 2008.