Look after tourists: Abel

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
LAW and order will be highlighted in the 2019 Budget to protect the tourism industry, Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel says.
“Our Government is emphasising on law and order and we want to make sure so that it is highlighted in the up-and-coming budget. It’s not about money but going into partnership with stakeholders in the tourism industry,” Abel said.
“We are being informed that international tourist visitation has been affected and so the Government is concerned and we realise that it has impacted our local tourists operators. And we are talking with the police minister , minister for justice attorney-general and the Tourism Promotion Authority to pilot a long-term concept and to set up tourism police and having a special section of the police force dedicated to tourism like in Thailand and they have specific functions to look after tourists.”
Abel, who is also the Treasurer and Alotau MP, expressed his disappointment in the robbery of international tourists at Tawali Resort in Alotau on Thursday.
Minister for Justice and Attorney-General and Esa’ala MP Davis Steven said the attack on international tourists was an attack on national interests. The resort is in a remote area between the Esa’ala and Alotau districts in Mine Bay province.
Abel said it was an important resort and it had similar incidences in the past.
“We have taken some steps with our police minister and the minister for justice attorney-general to address such attacks on international tourists within the country.
“The Prime Minister will be informing Cabinet about some decisions to clamp down on attacks on tourists. We will let him do those announcements.” Abel condemned the robbery, saying:
“Committing such incidents will help no one when you are stealing from tourists. We want tourists to come and enjoy the natural wonders of the country.”
Abel said that the suspects were part of a notorious gang that had been terrorising business houses in the province.
Abel said it was an important resort and it had similar incidences in the past.
“We have taken some steps with our police minister and the minister for justice attorney-general to address such attacks on international tourists within the country.