Govt urged to promote tourism by staging events

National

THE Government has been urged to promote tourism and its revenue-generating benefits by staging events outside of main centres.
Southern Highlands and Hela tourism office president Ivan Homoko said those in authority tended to favour the same main centres to hold national events or major gatherings without thinking of other centres who could
also benefit from hosting such events.
He said consideration by the Government would promote local business activities in the smaller centres creating jobs and boosting local economies.
Homoko said one sector to benefit from large events was the hospitality industry and other related businesses.
He said SMEs would also benefit with the increase in visitors and spending. Homoko said unfortunately, the Government and the relevant agencies had not seen the potential for development from this approach.
He said a fairer policy would also act as an incentive for investment in the provinces.