A K3 billion master plan by a private investor to build a tourism centre in Port Moresby now has National Government support.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today by Tourism Promotion Authority CEO Jerry Agus and Trade, Commerce and Industry secretary, John Andrias, and Paga Hill Development Company CEO Gudmundur Fridriksson.
Tourism Minister Tobias Kulang and Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru were also in attendance.
After 20 years on the drawing board, ground works had started to turn the Paga Hill area in Port Moresby into a tourism hub that will house a resort, cultural, exhibition and convention centre, war museum, retail shops and other tourist attractions.
There are also World War II war relics and bunkers on the top of Paga Hill.
Minister Kulung said the Public Private Partnership by the investor and Government will transform the tourism industry in the country.
“Tourism is not just about numbers; tourism is about yield, you need to get people to come stay a little bit longer and spend a little bit more in the country.
“I believe that this particular development brings to us all the essential elements that are agenda for tourism development
“The government cannot build everything, Government has to create a situation to attract private sector funding to create employment,” Kulang said.
The development will be funded by the Paga Hill Development Company.