The Tourism Promotion Authority in partnership with the Hela Provincial Government have moved to promote Hela Province as a major tourism destination.
Tourism Minister Tobias Kulang today handed over a cheque ofK100,000 to Hela Governor Francis Potape as part of the Government’s contribution towards enhancing tourism development in the Province.
Minister Kulang said his ministry through the Tourism Promotion Authority signed MOUs with several provincial governments last year to enhance tourism development in provinces and Hela Province was one that signed the MOU with TPA.
The Minister said under the MOU, TPAwill provide assistance in areas of technical advice, website development, office computers, product development and staff training.
“The role of respective provincial governments under the MOU is basically to provide office space, provide staff and other administrative support.”
“Today’s ceremony is basically a follow-on from the MOU signing which now sees TPA fulfil its commitment by delivering on some of its obligations covered under the MOU.”
“As we all know, Hela was one of the major tourism destinations in PNG especially given its rich and fascinating Wigmen culture.”
In receiving the K100,000 cheque from Minister Kulang, Hela Governor Francis Potape thanked the Government for choosing Hela Province to roll out its overall tourism plans.
“Hela Province has vast potential in tourism, and I am putting my hand up to partner with the Tourism Promotion Authority.”
Governor Potape said however, that to develop tourism in the province, the Government system had to work to make it possible.
“We must have police, CS and other government services to make it possible,” the Hela Governor said.
Hela’s tourism development plan will run in partnership with the overall Tourism development plan which has been made available in the MOU signed.