Cruise liners bring in K14m

CRUISE tourism will bring A$5.9 million (K14 million) into PNG, according to a report.
The report titled “Economic impact of cruising to PNG and Solomon Islands” was commissioned by the Australian government, International Finance Corporation, and the cruise ship operator Carnival Australia.
According to the report, each cruise ship arriving in PNG would bring A$94,460 (K220,682) worth of direct benefits to businesses and organisations.
Data for the study was provided by the region’s major cruise company Carnival Australia, as well as passengers, businesses and government, interviewed at the major tourist ports of Alotau, Doini Island Kiriwina, Kitava and Rabaul.
The report looked at PNG’s five main ports and identified a number of opportunities and investments to develop cruise tourism and capitilise further on the growing sector.
Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said the private sector was a major catalyst for development. “The study will help determine future areas of focus under the Australian Government’s partnership with PNG and Carnival Australia to enhance the economic opportunities tourism can bring to the countries in the Pacific,” Davis said.
The World Bank Group through International Finance Corporation has been working to attract more tourists to the Pacific region. IFC resident representative Gavin Murray said cruise tourism could boost household incomes and create jobs.
“We hope that with other Pacific countries, PNG can make use of this study and sustainably grow their tourism industry, particularly in the more remote provinces of the country,” Murray said.