Tourism not taken seriously, Sir Peter says

Business

WHILE other industries receive financial and moral support, tourism, generally throughout Papua New Guinea, is really not taken seriously, Madang businessman Sir Peter Barter says.
Sir Peter said this during a recent meeting of the Madang Travel Industry Association (MTIA) which discussed the industry’s survival after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The association consisted of representatives from guest houses, lodges, resorts, educational institutions, police and airline companies, who all raised their concerns over effects caused by the state of emergency and lockdown as well as the “new normal”.
Among the items on the agenda was the need for incentives to promote tourism development in Madang and PNG.
Sir Peter said tourism was still treated as a minor contributor to the country’s development.
“We are asking the Government if tourism and all its associated businesses, can receive some form of tax exception due to the Covid-19, to enable us to survive the impact of the virus,” he said.
MTIA has already embarked on a strategy, which includes development of its logo under the theme “Beautiful Madang”.
Sir Peter said tourism was a sustainable industry that had the potential to increase employment, promote business opportunities among the people and attract foreign currency and it “will help to restore the cultural heritage of Madang and Papua New Guinea.”
Sir Peter, who is also the chairman of MTIA and managing director of Melanesian Tourist Services Ltd (MTS), said the meeting was an attempt to get Madang’s industry to work cooperatively during the post-Covid-19 period.
“This is a genuine attempt to get the industry in Madang to work together.
“We need the Madang provincial and Madang urban local level government to support and realise the potential that Madang has to offer.”