Apec keeping Bunari on track

By HELEN TARAWA
Florence Bunari, from Uiaku, Tufi in Northern, has big dreams to venture into the tourism industry through her micro-small-to-medium enterprise (MSME) Buna Treks and Tours.
Bunari is among owners of SMEs who displaying their products at the International Convention Centre in Waigani, Poret Moresby, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Senior Officials’ Meeting 2 is taking place.
She started off with handicrafts, including necklaces, bracelets, ear rings and tapa bags and purses.
“After some time I saw the opportunity to do tourism as well. I thought they blended well so I started Buna Treks and Tours,” Bunari said.
“Wherever I am able to market the products of treks and tours, I also take that opportunity to sell my handicrafts.”
Bunari said her MSME was selling handicraft products under Buna Treks and Tours umbrella.
She plans to separate the two and creater different branding for the projects.
“With the Buna Treks and Tours, I’m aspiring to be specialised in trekking tours around PNG,” Bunari said.
“At the moment, it’s primarily Kokoda Track (Northern) and Mt Wilhelm in Chimbu.
“Mostly recently, I have added Daulo trekking in Eastern Highlands and beach walk from Katuna to Buna (Northern coast).
“I’m open to whoever has trekking areas, provided they are safe and is easily accessible, because logistics is the most costly part of all the tour operations.”
Bunari can do cutomised tours top suit individuals and groups.
“I always work within the laws of PNG, so I have insurance to cover loss of properties and meet all the PNG requirements to conduct a business,” she said,
“For Kokoda Track, I have a porter pool of around 39 but that doesn’t restrict whoever is available and not within that pool to join.
“There are a lot of experienced guides and potters.”
Bunari started Buna Treks and Tours as a registered business in 2014. The handicrafts business had been running since 2003.
“As I went along, I saw the economic benefits that came out of it so it really helped me to understand others who do it to earn a living,” she said.
“I network with a lot of women.
“For example, a lady who carves something for me, the bilum dresses I get them from women of Kutubu (Southern Highlands), Popondetta bilum from Sananda women, baskets from Western and necklaces from Milne Bay.”
Bunari is grateful to Apec for the opportunity to market her products.
“A lot of women are now into creating their MSMEs,” she said. “I encourage young people –women and men – not to be afraid to step up and try out something for themselves.”