Concerns bad publicity will affect show, tourism

By JEFFREY ELAPA
NEGATIVE publicity continues to affect the country’s tourism industry.
Mt Hagen Cultural Show committee chairman John Bobby said the burning of the Air Niugini aircraft in Mendi last year went viral and forced more than 300 foreign tourist to cancel their trip to see the show.
“So you see, that is how bad and negative publicity affects tourism in this country,” he said.
Bobby said the recent killings at Karita village in Tari-Pori, Hela, has also gone viral with CNN and other international media covering the incident.
He said he fears that many tourist that have already indicated their interest and booked for the Mt Hagen show might once again cancel their trip.
“If it happens again this time, I will resign as committee chairman,” he said.
Bobby said hundreds of foreign tourist have booked for the show as indicated by tour operators.
“There is a tribal fight in Mt Hagen but we don’t know where it is happening,” he said. “It is not good to publish everything about our country as negative news as it portrays a negative perception of us abroad and stops people from visiting.”
Speaking during the presentation of K100,000 from the Tourism Promotion Authority to the show committee on Friday, Bobby said it was incumbent on everyone to be responsible on what they post and publish in the media and social media.
Minister for Tourism Art and Culture Emily Tammur has also appealed to people to take ownership of law and order and to be responsible.
He said tourism as a big industry and many small to medium enterprises were involved and that could only be encouraged through good publicity.
“PNG is a unique destination,” he said.
“Our cultures and traditions are unique and we have the opportunity to showcase them at cultural shows like the Mt Hagen show.
“Therefore, it is important that we must assure our visitors of a conducive environment and promote our image.”