Kerema tourism operator appeals for help

 By ANCILLA WRAKUALE

A WOMAN who has ventured into the tourism business is disappointed that PNG Tourism Authority (PNGTA) cannot support their community-based project in East Kerema, Gulf.

Founder of Sevesemiai Lodge Ruth Harrave Tore is now seeking financial assistance from others after she was turned down by PNGTPA on Monday when she was told that the project had to be supported by Kerema LLG. 

Tore had plans to trek the Bulldog Track from Gulf to Wau in Morobe to help promote Sevesemiai Lodge as well as tourism in the area.

She needed the assistance to buy medical aid and other trekking gears such as jackets and boots.

She told The National that PNGTA agreed to help her but later said that they could not because the Bulldog Track that she will be using, as the main attraction, of her lodge was not in their 2011 budget.

However, that did not deter the 30-year-old Sepik woman who was raised in Uritaia, Gulf, to achieve her dream in marketing the Sevesemiai Lodge, as she will be trekking the Bulldog Track later this month to raise funds.

She will be supported by four former PNGDF soldiers and a 12-member team from Australia.

“I have spent all my savings and borrowed from families to see a dream come true.

“I gave away my own land to build the lodge to help the local community,” said Tore.

The lodge was officially launched last December by Gulf deputy governor Farapo Toru.

 The traditionally built lodge consists of four traditional bungalows overlooking the sea, with a community resource centre.

The lodge was built at a cost of more than  K15,000 by the Uritai villagers. It took them a month to build the lodge.

Anyone who is willing to support Tore, to promote tourism in Uritai, East Kerema, can call her on 71964349.

Alternatively she can be contacted using her email address:  [email protected].