Sales in handicraft decline due to lack of tourists: Seller

PEOPLE who rely on designing and selling handicraft for a living are worried about the drop in sales because there are no tourists, a vendor in Port Moresby says.
Handicraft designer and seller Don Yaman said some of them had lost interest because of the huge slump in revenue.
“The number of customers declined this year when international flights were restricted,” he said. “Our income depends on tourists and customers.”
He said he had learned the traditional art of carving from his parents.
“Young people today do not know how to design handicraft. They are pursuing other areas in life for a living.
“If they are not taught how to carve, we will lose the traditional knowledge and skills.”
He urged the Government to create an avenue for them to earn a stable source of income.
“Government should build a place like the national museum, buy handicraft from us and sell them to tourists,” he said. Kina cultural group chairman Dannis Guai said the government should invest in the arts and crafts industry.