Tourism needs K240mil to realise potential: Minister

THE five-year tourism sector development plan needs more than K240 million to realise its potential, says Toursm, Arts and Culture Minister Isi Henry Leonard.
Leonard said the 2022-2026 plan would not be successful without support from the Government and donor agencies.
“(It) will require more than K240 million over its five-year time frame to be successfully implemented to achieve its objectives as set out in its blueprint,” he said.
The initial funding of about K23 million will be spent in the first year of implementation.
The plan replaces the Government’s tourism master plan 2007-2017 to revive and develop a resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism sector.
“This plan will make tourism a leading contributor to the national economy and preserve Papua New Guinea’s history, cultures and natural environment for future generations,” Leonard said.
“Our long term goal is to increase the overall economic value of tourism to the economy, and for the country to be the leading tourist destination in the Pacific.”