Despite New Ireland having the “must visit place” tag in the tourism world, it does not have a tourism plan to harness the economic benefits derived from tourism.
“There is no tourism plan for New Ireland, “Kavieng Niu Lodge owner John Merebo said this during the official launch of the lodge’s 32 deluxe rooms extension in Kavieng on Friday.
The local entrepreneur said while other Pacific neighbour countries are harnessing the tourism industry in a big way, there is no exception as to why PNG and New Ireland for that matter keep a blind eye to it.
“Papua New Guinea needs to learn from our Pacific sister countries like Fiji and Vanuatu which has developed a tourism and hospitality industry to a more robust and participatory level, as such it is a bigger earner into their annual budgetary allocation.
“New Ireland province, especially our people in the rural areas are missing out big time. If our provincial government has anything to offer to our small people back in the rural areas, my recommendation would be to assist them enter the tourism and hospitality industry.
“The provincial government should make it a priority in the economic sector combined with rural development strategies to enter the small and medium enterprise,” Merebo said.
He challenged Minister for Commerce Trade and Industry, Richard Maru and Transport Minister Malakai Tabar who were at the launch that if they have any plans for New Ireland, they must invest in the industry.
Merebo likewise challenged the leaders in the province as well to come up with plans to harness the economic potential tourism has.
Minister Maru however agreed to Merebo’s comments saying: “New Ireland is a sleeping giant of tourism”.
“If your provincial government does not take ownership to develop New Ireland tourism, nobody will do it for you, the onus is on the government and leadership of New Ireland,” Maru said.
Picture: Kavieng Niu Lodge owner John Merebo talking with Kavieng MP, Ben Micah.