Geo-tourism concept eyed for trial in three provinces

Geo-Tourism will be a new tourism product that will be tried out in three provinces, according to the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA)
The authority has begun discussions with the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) on this new concept.
The concept capitalises on Papua New Guinea’s tropical and natural geographical landscapes such as rocks, caves and springs.
These carry unique historical stories such as origins and formation.
The pilot project will be developed initially in the National Capital District, Central and the East New Britain provinces after the first quarter of this year.
According to MRA the idea is to survey and identify these distinctive features and write about the scientific aspects behind their formation and their cultural significance.
They can then be presented as tourism products.
These features are also natural habitats that can be used to provide training and educational opportunities for researchers, students and surrounding communities to learn about the environment they live in.
Geo-tourism is an addition to the existing tourism products such as culture, diving, surfing and bird watching among others.
The two agencies will soon sign a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in developing the concept.
Besides the concept being an opportunity to earn direct revenue for local communities and villagers, it will be a first for the concerned communities to appreciate the science behind how their villages and surrounding environment were formed.