Eco-tourism is key to Northern development

THE Eco-Tourism Training Services in Popondetta in Northern hopes to work alongside the province’s MPs to help lift the living standard there.Training programme co-ordinator Mark Awoda said eco-tourism was regarded as a key factor that could bolster the standard of life in the province.
According to Awoda, Northern was the home to the tapa cloth, the big Birdwing Butterfly and had a natural welcoming and friendly outlook suited to tourism.The training services has spent K48,000 on eco-tourism awareness and training in Ijivitari and Sohe and completed similar sessions at the Tufi area of the province.
Awoda said they were waiting to work with their three representatives – member for Ijivitari and Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology David Orore, MP for Sohe open Delilah Gore and Northern Governor Gary Juffa – when they had settled in their offices.
Awoda thanked the business houses in Popondetta for supporting their fund-raising dinner last Friday.
It was held at the Bird Wing Lodge to support their road show in Sydney at the end of next month.
He thanked Igaturu Oil Palm New Britain and its managing director Mike Jackson for a K1,000 donation and other business houses and individuals for their support.
The training services itself contributed K5,000 towards raising about K500,000 required to cover the cost of the road show in Sydney, which would feature Eco Tourism of Papua New Guinea.
Those who will be on the trip include lodge owners in Popondetta, artifacts designers and officers from the culture and tourism industry.At least 30 people will travel.
Another fund-raising dinner will be held at Vision City, Port Moresby early next month.