Trekkers

They successfully completed the track in 17 days led by experienced trekker Peter Gamgee from the Getaway Trekking Company.

The trekkers, from Australia, Belgium and Scotland, commenced the 220km journey at Gabagaba Village, Central Province on October 4.

They completed the track on October 20 trekking across the rugged Owen Stanley Range and passing through about 20 villages including Itokama, Arapara, Jaure, Natunga and Bofu.

They spend the last two nights of the journey at the Buna area where the Battle of Buna–Gona took place during WW11.

Condemning the attack on the tourists, Opposition Leader said it painted a bad image of the country abroad at the time when the country is preparing to host the International Women’s Under 19 soccer tournament and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting among others.

“I felt angry with the culprits when I read about the attack online in a daily newspaper in the United Kingdom.

“Such vicious act of one or two has time and time again tarnished the country’s reputation and that our tourism and hospitality sector is at stake,” said an angry Polye.

“It’s very sad that this industry continues to  be beleaguered by such headlines, just breaks our heart when we worked so hard and we know the benefits of tourism brings to many of our communities,  villagers-based businesses, hotels and airlines, so on,” Abel said.  

In a media briefing this afternoon Central NCD police command, Tourism Minister Justin Tkatchenko and Kokoda Track Authority officials discussed the incident that took place earlier this week.

In an update Central police Commander Laimo Asi says that the incident took place on Monday at around 8am when an expatriate couple was attacked around Yora Creek at Templeton 2 in the Kokoda area.

Tkatchenko told media he will see commander Kalaut for a briefing at 2pm on the incident and will brief media after.

"What happened in Kokoda, we have to change our mindset," the Tourism Minister said.

Kokoda Tourism Authority chief executive officer James Enage told Loop PNG that the incident is a  first of its kind to happen at the famous Kokoda Track.

"It's an isolated incident (rape) and suspects are in police custody."

Enage said more details will be issued after the 2pm police briefing.