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THE Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) will be meeting with the villagers from along the Kokoda Trail tomorrow (March 15, 2005) to educate them on the importance of tourism in the area.
Kokoda Trail has attracted up to 2,000 trekkers alone for the year of 2004 and that number is sure to double this year as far as trekking business is concerned.
The trekking industry has grown with more and more tourists expressing their interest to walk the renowned WWII track.
Speaking during the meeting last week with the Kokoda Trekking Authority, TPA boss Peter Vincent said: "Nearly 2000 people have already walked the track and still there's potential for more."
He added that problems with compensation claims and other disputes arising within must not be encouraged but dealt with accordingly under Kokoda Trekking Authority as the authorised body.
He said KTA is now the legal body and has the right to oversee the happenings in the area and all trek and tour operators involve in trekking business along the infamous trail.
"They (operators) must report first hand any events arising during their trekking activities and as the regulating body must see how they can address any issues," Mr Vincent told KTA members during the meeting in Port Moresby last week.
KTA CEO, Warren Bartlet informed everyone that the authority was currently involved in the upgrading of the Kokoda Airstrip as part of its project, before the Anzac Day trek.
The KTA is also looking at how it can improve and maintain camping areas along the trail and especially at Isurava – the home to one of the track's most spectacular memorial park.
He said the people of Isurava needed to be educated on the role of the Isurava Memorial Park in that they need to know that it was a Public Asset which can help benefit them.
"We are going to Kokoda not to discuss issues of compensation but to look at the benefits…of what can be done to encourage trekking industry in the area and also at the same time help people in the area realise how they can benefit from the tourism industry," Mr Vincent said.
He also encouraged tour operators to sit down and seriously discuss the issues in the area without leaving the villagers out.
"If the locals are fully involved and benefit from trekking in the area then tour operators can operate peacefully without any trouble at all," he said.
Mr Vincent also adviced that other activities apart from trekking that tour operators are taking up must not be looked at in isolation but done in part and incorporate it into a long plan.
"The most important thing is how can we involve villagers – that should be the direction for the future," Mr vincent said.
TPA plans to do awareness also on other areas on the trail including, Hoi, Kovelo and Isurava.
Ends..//
ORO ORO – Kokoda Villagers put on a traditional welcome for trekkers
Kokoda_Block_500.jpg
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