Minister wants tourism operators to get villagers involved in activities

The National Business

TOURISM Minister Emil Tammur has challenged operators to involve villagers in tourism activities.
He was speaking at the opening of the sixth Lukim PNG Expo in Kokopo yesterday.
Tammur said development could only be measured when there was improvement in the lives of local villagers.
“I want to see the lives of our village people improved through tourism, fisheries, agriculture and other sectoral activities,” he said.
He announced his ministry’s partnership with the PNG Tourism Industry Association (PNGTIA) with the presentation of K10,000 to the expo.
Tammur said the new partnership had the full backing of the Kokopo District Development Authority, which contributed K40,000 towards the event.
The balance of the funds were used to help facilitate and promote the event through media and public relation activities such as
radio talk shows, outdoor broadcasts, billboards and other mediums.
Tammur said the expo attracted local and international operators to promote their products and services.
He thanked the organising committee and the association for planning the event.
Lukim PNG Nau Expo is recognised as an industry-led event with sponsorship and support from the Tourism Promotion Authority, other stakeholders and tourism industry members.
The expo is the only annual event of its kind that unites the entire tourism industry.
It provides an in-country opportunity for exhibitors to meet face-to-face with buyers and the association’s overseas representatives.
It is an affordable option for local industry members who unable to attend overseas travel shows.
The tourism expo consists of one public day, two trade days and an evening networking function, as well as pre and or post-familiarisation trips for international agents.
The public day is open to the public and schools.
Apart from tourism operators, the exhibitors also include tourism and hospitality institutions, related sectors of arts, crafts, sports and fashion to display their products and services.