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ALL tour operators along the renowned WWII Kokoda Trail are asked to put aside their differences and work hand in hand in addressing issues and needs of the locals on the trail.
?All tour operators along Kokoda must work together regardless of their level of competition in order to address issues along the trail and see how they can help the locals benefit from trekking business in the long run,? Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority CEO Peter Vincent stated.
Mr Vincent made this request during a brief meeting today (March, 4, 2005) with members of the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) and two major tour operators in the country, namely, the Koiari Trek & Tours and the Kokoda Trekking Limited.
He said while he understood that they have their own treks to run, he encouraged every operator to have a friendly competition within trekking business for the sake of people along the trail.
This was one way to help resolve current issues along the trail and also to ensure no further disagreement occurred among villagers in the near future, Mr Vincent said.
The CEO?s request stemmed from earlier discussions in which landowners demanded compensation from a tour operator following an incident which occurred earlier in the area.
While it was debated whether they should meet the landowners? demand, the TPA together with KTA and those present during the meeting resolved that paying up was not the answer, however, asked that the company involved approached the villagers and apologise.
Those present during the meeting apart from Mr Vincent were: Kokoda Track Authority CEO, Warren Bartlett, KTA Chairman, Alfred Amuli, Koiari Trek and Tours operator, Narai Billy, David Soru from Kokoda, Eric Uwea from Kokoda Trekking and Gail Thomas.
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