Creating hubs bad for tourism, says Sir Peter

MADANG businessman Sir Peter Barter says there needs to be a thorough review of the policy that has created tourism hubs, which disadvantaged Madang and many other ports in the country.
He said this would allow all maritime provinces to enjoy cruise ship visits and improve the facilities as they have done in Milne Bay and East New Britain.
“The Government, through the Tourism Promotion Authority and Department of Transport, are spending millions of kina promoting the hubs and developing facilities, whilst the facilities in Madang are deteriorating,” Sir Peter said.
He said cruise ship arrivals in Madang remained static as P&O and Carnival ships no longer called in due to a need on the North South Cruises which visited Alotau and Rabaul.
Sir Peter said 36 cruise ships visited Madang in 1986. They weremainly Russian-owned vessels with European passengers.
“The number has dropped since then as the Russian-owned ships are mostly out of service,” he said.
“We still get Hapag Lloyd, Silversea and other European vessels visiting Madang.
“The number is static and will remain this way until such times as the Government removes hubs and allows all maritime provinces to enjoy cruise ship visits and improves the existing facilities as they have done in Milne Bay and East New Britain.”
Sir Peter said Madang had been reviewed by passengers and ship operators as one of the most-popular tourist ports.
He said the cost of diverting ships through Madang on existing routines undertaken by major shipping companies placed Madang, Wewak, Vanimo and Lae out of consideration.
“Cruise vessels travelling east and west continue to call in at Madang,” Sir Peter said.
“These ships normally originate in Europe and Asia.
“The smaller expeditionary ships not only visit Madang, but use Madang as a changeover for passengers.”