Trek operators urged to conduct training

KOKODA Track tour operators in Central and Northern provinces have been urged to conduct pre-departure training for prospective trekkers on health, safety and responsible trekking.
Kokoda Track Authority outgoing chief executive officer Rod Hillman told a Kokoda track tour operator’s forum in Port Moresby last week the pre-departure training would enable trekkers, particularly Australians, to adapt to the hot and humid conditions.
He said visitors needed time to acclimatise.
It was important that tour guides advised the trekkers about things such as drinking water only when thirsty.
He said the Kokoda Track was an important part of the tourism industry and it was necessary to ensure the safety of trekkers.
Hillman said a study conducted by Australia’s Curtin University in 2008 showed that the economic value of the trekking in that year was A$15,278,000 (K33.2 million).
 He said of this, A$5,320,000 (K11.6 million) or 35% was spent in Australia, A$4,433,000 (K9.6 million) or 29% taken by airlines companies, A$3,695,000 (K8 million) or 24% was spent in Port Moresby and A$1,830,000 (K3.97 million) or 12% was spent on the villages along the track.
Ecotourism Melanesia director Aaron Hayes called for more funding from the Kokoda Initiative to support local tour operators.
“I want Kokoda Initiative to put more money into the Kokoda locals to teach and train them how to run their own trekking company, not to teach them to bake and sell scones,” Hayes said.
He called on all local tour operators to join the Kokoda Tour Operators Association so they could petition the government collectively to address their issues.
The Kokoda Initiative is a partnership between the Papua New Guinea and the Australian governments for the sustainable development of the Owen Stanley Range, Brown River Catchment and the Kokoda Track region.