Games tourism viable opportunity

 TOURISM is a sustainable industry and the 2015 Pacific Games will provide an opportunity for Papua New Guinea to ensure valuable economic development, Games chief executive officer Peter Stewart said during a tourism exhibition at the University of PNG yesterday.

Stewart said enormous investments in infrastructure and human resources had been made for the 14-day event but sports alone would not be the only beneficiary of the Games.

He said the growth the opportunities were significant and would be felt by the economy particularly in tourism. 

Nearly K200 million has been invested by the PNG Government with enormous effort from corporate sector to have the national capital ready for the Games.

Stewart echoed Tourism Arts and Culture Minister Boka Kondra’s statements on sport’s role in showcasing PNG to the rest of the Pacific and the world.

He said for the 4000-plus participants from different cultures, it would be an eye-opener and the success of the Games would have flow on effects on the economy in business and tourism.

The country last hosted the Pacific Games in 1991 in Port Moresby and Lae and that event has been remembered as one of the best Games on record in terms of the cultural experience as much as the sports.

Stewart said the country was blessed with many natural resources however tourism remained an under developed area that had the potential to be a significant earner.

Stewart said Games organisers were working hard to ensure security and other concerns were guaranteed for the event and despite the negative press about the country, he challenged citizens to welcome the visitors and show them the best side of the country and the people.  

Globally, PNG will attract attention during the games through the media with up to 10 hours of daily coverage by television and radio stations.

Stewart said capacity building would see 5000 jobs being created and the legacy that the Games left behind would be  lasting.