Businessman markets Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE should be seen as a tourist destination rather than a place associated with conflict and war, a local businessman says.
Bougainville Experience Tours managing director Bosco Miriona made the statement at the Lukim PNG Nau tourism expo in Port Moresby last Sunday.
“We have travelled so many places to market Bougainville, so that people can know that Bougainville is not always associated with fights and conflict but can be a destination where people can go to for relaxation and holidays,” Miriona said.
“They can see our nice beaches and seas, war relics and can also visit the well-known Panguna mine.
“Our participation in this expo is very important because we have to market Bougainville to PNG and the rest of the world.
“We feel that we need to give more exposure on Bougainville as a tourism attraction.”
However, Miriona said there were also challenges.
“The biggest challenge we are faced with in terms of tourism development in Bougainville is that many local people there do not understand how they can create opportunities for themselves in terms of developing the tourism sector. We need to do awareness to address that,” he said.
“Also, Bougainville is furthest from PNG and the fare is just too high. We are not getting tourists.”