Village recognised as model for tourism

A VILLAGE in New Ireland has been recognised by the provincial government as the first tourism model village in the province.
The New Ireland government has recognised Lossuk village in ward seven of the Tikana local level government as a model tourism village.
The government appointed chief of chiefs Demas Kavavu has been closely involved in the establishment of the cultural and tourism village.
New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan announced this during a provincial assembly meeting (PEC) meeting last Tuesday.
Sir Julius said his government was looking at initiatives to address law and order issues at the community level in villages and congratulated Kavavu, the community of Lossuk and local maimais for the initiative.
The PEC has directed Kavavu to be involved in the rollout of the concept.
“Our government envisions that our people should progress collaboratively in partnership with this administration to address the many underlying issues facing communities, not only in New Ireland, but other communities across Papua New Guinea,” Sir Julius said.
“New Ireland has a youth population of over 50 per cent that needs the immediate attention of this Government to contain the consumption of alcohol, homebrew and marijuana that is presently leading to law and order issues.
“The model village concept endeavours to address this and ultimately spread to other villages in New Ireland.”
The concept will also enable the village to tap into the economic benefits of tourism, agriculture, fisheries and forestry through the village planning committees in wards in the LLGs to develop small businesses in communities to sustain and empower themselves with the youth taking the lead.