Support needed to help Jiwaka gain from tourism

By TONY PALME
JIWAKA has huge tourism potential which can only be harnessed by the local people if they are given proper support to promote it, a tourism official says.
Provincial tourism officer Stanley Kos said tourism could be developed by uneducated and unemployed young men and women in the village because they knew their culture and environment well.
Kos heaped praised on Michael Parik, a young man from Sekaing tribe near Kudjip, for creating a tourism and cultural centre that was now attracting international and local tourists.
“People like Michael Parik started the Tolsi Cultural Reviving Centre and Aqua Fauna project through his own initiative without being told by anyone,” he said.
“He has created employment for people in his community and is bringing in tourists every week.
“I would really like to see the Government, Tourism Promotion Authority, Tourism Arts and Culture Ministry, and all other relevant authorities support individuals like Michael to grow.
“Michael has a big dream of developing his place into a major attraction in the province. I provide him (Michael) with technical advice, but funding-wise, I am financially-handicapped so I can’t help him.
“I see that tourism and agriculture are two sleeping giants that can sustain Jiwaka into the future.
“Our leaders at the province and districts must recognise this and start pumping in money to develop it.”
Parik had invited district, province and national leaders to witness the launching of the centre on two separate occasions this year, but no one turned up.
“I am a simple villager who started this place with the Sunday school kids. I’ve spent a lot of money and I don’t know how I can offset my financial debts,” he said.
“The option now is to sell my land to offset the debts.” Kos said Parik deserved to be recognised for what he was doing to promote and preserve indigenous cultures.”