Expo opens to call for unity to boost tourism

Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Emil Tammur has called on all stakeholders to work together to realise the potential of tourism in the country.
He was speaking yesterday at the opening of the Lukim PNG Expo in Kokopo.
More than 200 major local and international tourism players gathered at the Rapopo Plantation Hotel in Kokopo, East New Britain, to promote their products and services and exchange notes on how to grow the industry.
“Tourism is a unique industry,” Tammur said.
“It’s a multi-faceted industry. It cuts across every sector.
“In order for tourism to flourish and thrive in Papua New Guinea, everyone must embrace the importance of this industry and know their respective roles to play.
“We must always be patriotic and be proud of ourselves as Papua New Guineans. As our population increases, so too is the demand for goods and services.
“We must help ourselves rather than expect Government intervention in every problem we have.”
He thanked the president and the executives of Papua New Guinea Tourism Industry Association for organising the expo in Kokopo.
Tammur said it was “something familiar with the PNG tourism industry where 97 per cent of the PNG tourism products are found in rural areas and not in towns and cities”.
He urged all travel agents, wholesalers, travel writers and tour operators to promote PNG.