Rabaul not ‘Pearl of the Pacific’

 THE National ran a good article on Rabaul wherein NCD Governor Powes Parkop was exhorting the people of ENB to be more aware of the great history of their town.  

He was making a very good point, I thought, but I was very disappointed to see him refer to Rabaul as “The Pearl of the Pacific”.  

I’m sorry but this is totally erroneous and worse, it has been tried out a number of times over the last 20years or so by enthusiasts in both Rabaul and Madang.  

Whilst both places are very beautiful and have had fine reputations in the past, in what way do they resemble pearls?

Tourism developments are being pushed for good reason, and different areas have their special features, often summarised in a slogan or a brand that is used in marketing.  

It is time for an acknowledgement that there is only one “Pearl of the Pacific” and that title has been owned by Samarai island for at least the last 80 years.  

From high above, our little island looks like a pearl and it has always been beautiful. Historically, its waters were dived for pearl shell over a hundred years ago and gold and black-lipped pearl shells grow there today and are used in cultural pearl production as I write this article.

So please guys, back off and find your own titles to describe the great features that you have in your own backyards and let’s work together in tourism, whilst still promoting our unique environment.

Ian Poole, Via email