Albert promotes tourism in remote village

By PETER WARI
ALBERT James Mahn is promoting tourism big-time in his Erali village in the Lower Wage local level government of Kandep, Enga.
Albert, 24, graduated with a Bachelor of Business Management in Tourism in 2017. He returned to his village and has since been urging the people to take tourism seriously as a source of income. They have started with the building of the Erali Tourism Centre.
“If there is a tourism centre, tourists and other people will visit the LLG. This place will never be the same. One day, the roads will be upgraded and tar-sealed. The wooden bridges will be replaced by permanent ones. There is a way out of the isolation.”
Albert is the elder of two brothers. Their dad is a pastor with the Christian Apostolic Fellowship church. Mum is a subsistence farmer.
His education began in 2001 at the Lumbipaka Elementary School from grades one to three, then at Lumbipaka Primary School up to Grade Eight. He completed grades nine and 10 at Kandep High, then Grade 12 at the Kopen Secondary in 2012.
Tourists love to visit the Kandep valley for its beautiful flora and fauna, fast-flowing rivers, lakes and swamps, birds and historical sites such as the Tundaka Cave.
Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas in January announced his plan to make tourism a key economic growth catalyst and allocated funds to build guesthouses and lodges.
Albert supports that idea. As a child, he knew how difficult it was to access government services due to the remoteness of the area and tribal fights.
“I am thankful to my parents who supported me when I planned to start the tourism centre.”

“ If there is a tourism centre, tourists and other people will visit the LLG. This place will never be the same.”

After graduating, Albert worked with PNG Tourism and Promotion Authority in 2018 carrying out surveys on domestic and international flights. He left last year to concentrate on developing tourism in his area. The centre is expected to be completed later this year.
Villagers wanting to go to the Kandep station walk miles to reach Wasa Lake, then pay locals to travel across in dugout canoes.
“If people want to buy goods in large quantities, they have to travel to Magarima in Hela, catch transport to Mendi or Mt Hagen.”
When a wooden bridge collapses, people have to wait for locals to build a new one. They then pay to use the bridge to continue their journey.
On bad sections of the road, passengers have to come out and push.
“A real nightmare.”
Albert had to travel to Mendi and Mt Hagen to buy materials for the tourism centre.
People in the LLG can speak Wabag, Mendi, Huli and Porgera languages as they share borders with them.
Kandep MP Alfred Manase has twice visited the area to fund schools and the upgrading of feeder roads.
Albert wants to see the tourism centre become the focal point of tourism activities in the area.
“I come from a Christian family and want the people to welcome outsiders. They need to change their way of thinking and talking, especially when they interact with tourists.
“They have been confined to the area due to poor road infrastructure. They have accepted the idea and are willing to support tourism activities.”
That’s the first obstacle overcome. Albert knows there is more to be done to achieve his goal of making tourism the top money-earner in his district. He is bent on that.