Pandemic, crimes crippling tourist operators in Milne Bay

THE Covid-19 pandemic, escalating violence and criminal activities in Milne Bay are paralysing tourist operators and the industry, Conflict Islands Resort general manager Edward Cardwell says.
“We used to deploy about 100 locals and have an average of 12 cruise liners visiting our resort on Panasesa Island,” he said.
“And each of the cruise ships arrive with about 2,000 tourists.
“These locals are from Panaeati, Panapompom and other 21 islands in the Conflict Groups of Islands in Samarai-Murua.
“But due to the Covid-19, there are no more cruise ships and so no employment for these locals since the last cruise ship visit last March.
“Now we have skeletal staff of nine to maintain the resort.”
Cardwell said yesterday that criminal activities were now having an effect on the hospitality and tourism industry. We are always on alert and everyone has hand held radios to communicate with each other,” he said.
“We have people keeping a watch on security all over the island 24/7 on any boats, dinghies or even traditional sailing canoes that approach the island as dinghies always pose a security threat to us.”
Cardwell said that it was an unfortunate incident on Sunday when two dinghies loaded with drums of fuel for Transport Minister William Samb and Culture and Tourism Minister Isi Henry Leonard were shot at by their armed guards and chased away.
Cardwell, who has been on the island since 2016, said: “Luckily we have not been held up since being robbed by pirates in 2019.
“But it is just a matter of time.
“Probably when the Port Moresby-based mobile squad leaves after their 60-days operation is over.”