More investment in tourism promotion urged

By DOREEN POLOH WAIM

 

A TOUR operator from East Sepik province has called on the Tourism Promotion Authority to invest more in industry promotion.

Julie Kenni runs a motel called the Sepik Village Tours at the Angoram station that organises village tours.

But over the years, the number of foreign tourists to her area had significantly dropped, she said.

Mrs Kenni said PNG had a lot to offer in terms of tourism because of the vast diversity of culture and traditions.

She believed the country’s tourism sector could be one of the major contributors to the economy if the Government could assist in terms of investing more into the promotion of the industry.

Mrs Kenni has been in the business for more than 30 years, through which she supported her family.

Apart from providing village tours, Mrs Kenni said she also had a gift shop that sold handicrafts, artifacts and bilums which she bought from local women.

Through this, she could help support her surrounding communities, she said.

Mrs Kenni believed there were  similar businesses operating in isolation.