Cleric urges promotion of Kokoda sector

By JASON GIMA WURI
KOKODA Trail Adventures and Trekking Ltd director Fr Roderick Vana has called on Northern provincial leaders and all relevant authorities to help develop the northern sector of the Kokoda Track for tourism.
“As local tour operators, we are struggling to stay in business because of the lack of marketing and proper funding so we have decided to develop an alternative track from Kokoda to Buna,” he said.
“Many trekkers who walk the track from Owers’ Corner to Kokoda organise their trips through international tour operators in Australia, which leaves us with nothing to work for,” Vana said.
He said part of the track from Kokoda to Buna was called the northern sector and he had agreed with other local tour operators to help develop it for tourism.
“Along this sector of the track, we have the Kumusi River white water rafting, the Mt Lamington volcano, the Queen Alexandra butterfly, tree kangaroos, traditional dances and singing from villagers, and war relics and caves used du­ring World War II,” Vana said.
He said that they were planning a cycling competition along the 130km northern sector track from Buna to Kokoda once it was developed.
“I am appealing to the Tourism Promotion Authority, Kokoda Trekking Authority, and the provincial and national governments to take the lead in this matter because I am sure they are aware of this but have done nothing to develop the norther sector,” he said.