Tour guides’ training a boost for industry

AT least 10 people in East New Britain have graduated with international skills in tour guiding, a boost to the local industry as the country’s tourism hub builds its capacity to service tourists.
Seven of the graduates are also trainers.
This was the first time the World Federation of Tourist Guides Association (WFTGA) training was held in the Pacific.
Rabaul Discovery and Eco-Tourism Tours funded the training.
General manager Douglas Pidi said capacity building was vital to servicing the industry.
“I truly believe in capacity building and such training is an example of what we can do,” he said.
“The challenge is to develop it in the province to run with all sectors – the people, government and the industry.”
Pidi also underwent the training.
He said ENB had a 400-year history that needed to be preserved.
“Our cultural heritage is very important and we need to preserve it. It is that history, heritage and influence that made us who we are today,” he said.