MP: Festivals an avenue to make money

FESTIVALS and shows are useful avenues to support small-to-medium enterprises, says Goroka MP Aiye Tambua.
He was in Port Moresby yesterday to witness the Tourism Promotion Authority’s sponsorship of K150,000 to the hosting of the Goroka Show next month.
“We are trying to promote culture and revive the economy,” Tambua said.
“The show over the years has supported the local economy.”
Show committee chairperson Keryn Hargreaves said the show had been a success over the years.
“About K1.5 million we put back into the local economy of Goroka (from the) show itself.
“But the business houses probably make around K10 million in just three days of the show.
“That’s money going back into the community.
“It does not go out.”
She said it was the oldest running cultural show in PNG.
“It is recognised the world over where tourists booked two years in advance (to attend),” she said.
“Tourism is everybody’s business and the Covid-19 is a blessing in disguise.
“We realign ourselves, we need to come back and see where we are and where we can go.
“Tourism puts money in everybody’s pockets and is everybody’s business.”