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The following message was part of the Tourism Monthly Newsletter:
ANZAC Pilgrimage to Kokoda
Is Kokoda Track overtaking Gallipoli as the 'must-do pilgrimage for Australians? This is the question that is begining to ring loud in media circles following more publicity in Australia on the historical 96 kilometer track that is becoming a tourism icon for Papua New Guinea.
More and more Australians are now being encouraged to make the pilgrimage up north to Kokoda rather than Gallipoli, given its close proximity and historical war significance to Australia. While the trekking season starts late March, more than 2000 visitors are expected on the track in 2005.
In fact, most tour companies are fully booked for the ANZAC trek which culminates with the ANZAC Day dawn service at the Bomana War Memorial on April 25.
Another dawn service is also being planned for high up at the Isurava Memorial on April 25 with some popular Australian sports personalities expected to attend. According to the Kokoda Track Auhority, some 2000 people walked the Kokoda Track in 2004 including 1181 tourists, whom the KTA issued track permits.
This figure does not include those who obtained permits from the Australia based Niugini Holidays Group, although several requests by TPA to provide figures from May 2003 were not answered.
This is absolutely wonderful news. I know we ourselves have several Anzac bookings but this article indicates that this year will see the biggest crowds ever come to PNG.
Last year I was at Bomana War Cemetery and it was a very moving ceremony indeed.
In January we met up with Stan Bisset who served in the 2/14 and who was at Isurava during the war and still spoke about it like it was yesterday. His brother also served there and died at Isurava in Stan's arms.
During our visit it was indicated that he would love all young Australian's in particular to come and walk the trail so that they will remember guys like himself who served so bravely to protect Australia. As one guy who emails me occasionally writes, if you can read this at all thank a teacher, if you can read it in English, thank a digger!
Eric Uwea, Stan Bisset & Russell Eroro:
100_2697___Stan_Bisset.jpgLest we Forget!
anzac4.jpg
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