Masiu happy with turnout during cultural show

SOUTH Bougainville MP Timothy Masiu says an encouraging turnout at the first Siwai Culture Show on Friday has enabled a relook at the tourism industry in Bougainville.
He said the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic had destroyed the normal way of living and doing business in the country and the world, but added the pandemic had also presented the challenges of strategising the revival of the tourism industry.
“And because culture is the single most important component in the tourism industry, the pandemic has presented us new challenges into strategising the revival of our tourism industry,” he said.
Masiu is the patron of the Siwai Culture Show.
He said he supported Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Henry Isi Leonard for his efforts to re-direct focus in the industry to promote local tourism.
“This is an untapped market which we have been sitting on all these years,” he said.
“As your patron and as your leader (and) member for South Bougainville, I do not want to see our culture and traditions disappear.
“And this is my challenge to you all – to hold on to the values of our rich culture and traditions because times are fast changing.”