Passengers interviewed in bid to boost tourism

CRUISE passengers docked in Rabaul, East New Britain, have been interviewed about potential tours and excursions as part of efforts to strengthen local tourism.
YuMi Tourism Partners is an initiative being rolled out across the South Pacific to assist tourism entrepreneurs build their business models to fit the needs of customers which is supported by the Australian government in partnership with Carnival Australia and The Difference Incubator.
Michael Mihajlov from Carnival Australia said passengers wanted “meaningful, authentic, personal experiences”, with the knowledge they were also supporting sustainable development, “if local communities benefit from our visit, they are going to want us to come back”.
Around 20 local tourism operators based in Rabaul and Kokopo pitched a range of tours and activities to passengers during a P&O cruise visit on Nov 24.
Tourism ideas covered both land and sea-based activities, such as volcano and military history tours, handicraft demonstrations and sales, and fishing, canoeing and snorkelling.
Tourism operator David Lolok said the forum was a privilege and satisfying.
“These situations require a bit of extra sacrifice and effort to be a part of, but it is so worth it,” he said.