Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Justin Tkatchenko is adamant in getting down to the bottom of the Kokoda incident involving two expatriate tourists.
Tkatchenko flanked by long-time trekkers and tour operators, Frank Taylor and Charlie Lynn told media this afternoon that he will work to restore Kokoda’s image and also the tourism industry in Papua New Guinea.
“There are questions to be asked, as your new minister I will personally get to the bottom of it, I will be working closely with Kokoda Track Authority so an event like this never ever happen again.
“I do not want this unfortunate incident to destroy the majority (who rely on tourism for income).
“But it does not help when the boyfriend falsely dramatise the issue, because it does not help her (the girl friend) in the situation she is in,” Tkatchenko said.
Australians, Taylor and Lynn who have more than 50 year combined walking and promoting the World War II famous track said the people along the trail from the Central Province all the way to Northern Province are peace loving people.
The incident happened on Monday January 11, when partners, British citizen Mattew Iovane and American Michelle Clemens, both 31, alleged that they were, robbed, assaulted, and Michelle raped at a place on the Kokoda track.
Their account was published in a London-based newspaper.