APEC Ministers commit to strengthening tourism

Nara, Japan, 23 September, 2010 – At the conclusion of their meeting on Thursday, APEC Tourism Ministers adopted the “Nara Declaration” to support sustainable, inclusive and balanced economic growth of the industry in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

After two days of talks in Nara, Japan, Ministers recognised the “economic importance of tourism, including the creation of jobs, reduction of poverty and conservation of the environment” and stressed their determination to continue to strengthen the industry to help develop the region.

 

“During this period of significant change in the global political and economic order, tourism will continue to play an important and relevant role in the Asia-Pacific region,” the declaration said.

 

Ministers agreed on the importance of protecting the cultural, natural and heritage assets of member economies by encouraging visitor flows more evenly, and to provide more stable employment in the industry.

 

“This approach could enable tourism to grow in a sustainable, balanced and inclusive manner,” the declaration said.

 

The declaration will contribute to APEC’s new growth strategy. The strategy is a commitment to produce “high-quality” growth in the region in the wake of the global financial crisis, and will be submitted to APEC Leaders for consideration when they meet in November in Yokohama.

 

Ministers agreed in Nara to exchange information and best practice on efforts to expand newer and emerging types of tourism such as medical and wellness, religious events tourism, sports tourism, cruise tourism, ecotourism, and MICE (Meetings, Incentive travel, Conventions and Exhibitions/Events).

 

“These avenues could stimulate new demand and tourism-related investment across the Asia-Pacific region,” the declaration said.

 

The Nara Declaration also covers the following areas:

 

•             Promoting collaboration between tourism offices and organizations, both public and private, in member economies

•             Greater collaboration between APEC groups, the private sector and international bodies

•             The need to implement strategies to promote the sustainable management of tourism businesses and destinations

 

APEC’s share of world tourism has been growing over the past 15 years, according to StatsAPEC, an extensive database showing economic performance in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC’s share of world tourism has increased from 28 percent in 1995 to currently 51 percent. International tourism arrivals in the APEC region have grown approximately 122 million over this period.

 

##

For more information, contact:  Trudy Harris + 65 98983710 or th@apec.org

 

Today's protest march banned

By THOMAS HUKAHU

 

NO protest march will be allowed in Port Moresby today, that’s the stern warning from police yesterday, The National reports.

NCD metropolitan commander Chief Supt Fred Yakasa told a media conference that the decision was in the best interest of city residents and the business community.

The decision stemmed from a nationwide planned protest march, scheduled for today, by non-governmental organisation and civil society activist Noel Anjo and his group.

The group had planned to march to parliament and demand Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and cabinet to effect its immediate recall to deal with alleged controversial issues like the reappointment of Sir Paulias Matane as governor-general and the passage of the Environment Amendment Act and other bills.

While Anjo had promised city authorities that the march would be peaceful, police felt it would only endanger lives and properties.

Yakasa said the decision taken by the authorities was to prevent opportunists from taking advantage of the situation to loot and destroy properties.

Anjo and his group had also visited Lae and the highlands creating awareness on tomorrow’s planned protest.

However, opportunists in Eastern Highland’s Kainantu and Goroka took advantage of the situation and looted shops early this month.

Yakasa said this would not happen in Port Moresby.

He said police would be out very early in the morning today to make sure that no protest march was staged.

 “I am discouraging any individual or group from participating in any protest marches.

“Any protest march staged will be deemed illegal, and people will be arrested,” Yakasa stressed. 

Yesterday afternoon, police commanders from different sections and stations were told by Yakasa to be on alert and disallow any groups from gathering.

“Police are not trying to stop or suppress the rights of the public to voice their concerns on genuine issues, however, there are other safer and orderly avenues available that could be used,” he added.

“Those attempting to stage a march must understand and respect our position regarding the situation.

“In the best interest of city residents’ safety, peace and good order, no march must take place,” Yakasa said.

Late yesterday afternoon, a group of men were moving around the city in a vehicle calling on workers not to go to work and to join the protest march.

 

 

Cholera strikes again

By ELIZABETH MIAE

 

A GOOD number of Lealea villagers in Central’s West Hiri district spend their independence weekend receiving treatment at the cholera centres at the Papa clinic and Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), The National reports.

Reports said more than 60 people were admitted at these centres and treated for cholera during the long weekend.

NCD cholera task force leader Dr Timothy Pyakalyia blamed the revival of the disease on the unhygienic preparation and handling of the food and drinks during the celebrations.

Reports said one was admitted last Thursday, two last Friday, 18 last Saturday and 22 the following day, 10 on Monday and another 10 on Tuesday.

Pyakalyia said the treatment centres had also reported new cases from villagers at the Brown River and Goldie River areas along the Hiritano Highway.

He said plans were underway to carry out massive awareness campaigns against mass preparation and cooking of food and homemade drinks during major gatherings like funeral feasts, bride price payments and others.

He said the option was to bring along and distribute raw food and practise basic hygiene.

“We need to discourage the mass preparation of food during celebrations. We fear that the same thing is going to happen,” Pyakalyia said.

He also warned the public to be cautious of where they get their water from and how they use it during the dry spell.

Hiri district health coordinator Michael Masket said the outbreak was not as serious as when it first struck in early May.

Operations at the Papa clinic had been scaled down with only two people working at the cholera centre.

He said after the long weekend, people with mild symptoms of cholera turned up for treatment.

However, those needing further checks and treatment were referred to the general hospital.

“We are supplying oral rehydration salts and other medical supplies to Papa clinic as well as carrying out awareness,” Masket said.

 

 

Kundiawa water crisis 'unsolved'

By JAMES APA GUMUNO

 

BUSINESS, government and others in Kundiawa, Chimbu, have gone without water for six days, The National reports.

Their taps ran dry last Friday after vandals tampered with water pipes at three different locations between the water supply source at Hur and Yuwai market near Kundiawa town.

Provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop and Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Joe Mek Teine, in separate interviews, expressed grave concern yesterday.

Teine said if the problem continued, many operations in town were likely to be shut down.

More than 10,000 town residents walked almost a kilometre to Wara Simbu to fetch water for their use.

Teine said the town was expanding towards Murane and Wara Simbu and, as a result, more people came into town and settle.

He said that the town residents, business houses, government agencies and many other organistions in the town needed good constant water supply every day.

He said that the current water supply installed by PNG Waterboard from Hur to town was not enough to cater for the growing population.

Teine said that there was a need to provide alternative water supply for the town.

He said that he had already submitted a proposal with the support from the PNG Waterboard to the office of the National Planning early this year to seek funds to construct another water supply from Moguma water source into town.

He said that as soon as the funds were made available, the project would start immediately.

Tondop said that his policemen fetched water from Wara Simbu to cook food for the detainees in the cell and also to use it in their toilets.

He said that police personnel and their families depended on the water supply fetch water elsewhere for drinking, cooking and for other use as well.

Tondop said police provided security for the PNG Water board employees to fix the damaged pipes but did not know how soon they would complete the job and restore normal water supply.

He said that it posed a big health problem for the people using Wara Simbu because it was not known whether it was safe for drinking or not.

A public servant working in the office of the provincial administration said the officers working in the governor’s  and provincial administrator’s office use their office vehicle to fetch water from Wara Simbu but did not know about other public servants working in other divisions.

She said this did not affect public servants turning up for work.

 

 

Highlands students want end to year

By ELLEN TIAMU

 

STUDENTS from the six highlands provinces, excluding Chimbu, at the University of Technology in Lae, yesterday presented a petition to the university administration saying the resumption of classes cannot happen this year following another flare-up on campus on Tuesday morning between Sepik and Highlands students, The National reports.

There have been on-going fights at the Taraka campus between the Sepik and Chimbu students which resulted in the hospitalisation of two and the death of one, all from Sepik, nearly four weeks ago.

The death resulted in the exodus of Chimbu students as well as those from other provinces three weeks ago out of the campus.

The university’s standing committee and executive management two weeks ago called for classes to resume.

Most of the students who left campus returned last weekend but at a meeting on Monday with vice-chancellor Misty Baloiloi, registrar Allan Sako and Lae police commander Chief Supt Nema Mondiai made it clear that they would not return to class unless the Chimbu and Sepik students made peace.

Despite assurances from the administration and police that it was safe to return to classes, a fight broke out the next day, Tuesday purportedly between Sepik and highlands students leaving several students injured.

Student leaders from Western, Eastern and Southern Highlands and Enga  as well as SRC president, Justin Herepe, yesterday morning petitioned the executive management saying although it was the wish of the other students to complete studies this year, they would only do so after the Sepiks and Chimbu students reconciled.

“The environment here is not conducive for learning. We feel that it is only right that we return early next year to complete the remaining academic year,” their petition read.

The highlands students were aggrieved that the Sepik students were allowed to congregate in one area although a memo was sent out forbidding gatherings.

They said the administration should not misinform students and the public that all was well on campus when it was not as demonstrated on Tuesday in front of police and security guards.

They also recommended that an external mode of learning such as distance learning be used to complete studies, a complete overhaul of the campus security system and the perpetrators of the killing and fights be arrested and charged.

Meanwhile, Mondiai said restraining orders had been served on both Chimbu and Sepik student groups, stopping them from harassing and intimidating other student groups.

He said police investigations into the initial fight and murder had progressed but students involved were not cooperating with police.

“Police cannot just go out and round up anyone without first receiving a complaint and evidence to support the complaint. We need names and statement of facts,” he said.

Taiwan and Papua New Guinea recommit efforts to promote agriculture

Ministers Hickey (right) and Chen shake hands after the signing

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

Taiwan and Papua New Guinea have reaffirmed their commitment towards improving the agriculture sector.

This follows the signing of the revalidation of the technical cooperation agreement on agriculture for a further three-year period.

The PNG government has committed itself to ensure that the agreement with Taiwan is revalidated and remains active for the medium and long-term to ensure that PNG farmers continue to benefit and improve their livelihood.

Over the years since the agreement was first signed, PNG has benefitted through the provision of quality rice and vegetable seeds, machinery, technical expertise, irrigation technology and support to agricultural extension including human resource development both in country and in Taiwan through the international cooperation and development centre.

The technical mission has established its office and facilities in Bubia outside of Lae and has worked closely with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and other agricultural agencies to promote agriculture.

Many of the technologies promoted by the Taiwanese experts are being popularised in many parts of the country.

On Aug 30 this year, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Hickey and his counterpart minister and chairman of the council of agriculture, Wu-hsiung Chen, signed the agreement in Taipei, Taiwan.

Hickey expressed his appreciation and thanked the government of Taiwan for inviting him to visit Taiwan and for the second time revalidate the agreement.

APEC ministers urge sustainable growth of tourism

Issued by the 6^th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting

Nara, Japan, 22 September, 2010 – Tourism Ministers from the Asia-Pacific region stressed the importance of achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in this key industry, on the opening day of the 6^th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday.

 Opening the meeting, Japan’s Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Sumio Mabuchi, said tourism, like the rest of the economy, had suffered from the global financial crisis, natural disasters and the H1N1 virus in recent years.

 However Minister Mabuchi, who is chairing the meeting, said tourism has potential to play a key role in the region’s economic recovery. Steps, therefore, need to be taken by APEC to help nurture the industry so that it grows sustainably for future generations. 

 “Although we see some signs of upturn in the economy starting from this year, we are still far away from a full-fledged recovery. So there are efforts being taken around the world to bring about growth,” Minister Mabuchi told the meeting in his home town of Nara, Japan.

 “The tourism industry is an industry which can actually enable growth without resorting to fiscal stimulus. It is an industry that has the potential to impact on the revitalisation of the regional economy as well as on employment and therefore the sustainable growth of this industry is of paramount importance.”

 “Over the next two days in this ministerial meeting, I do hope that we can have very robust and active discussion and exchange of views and express and translate our strong resolve into the Nara Declaration, so that we can jointly take one step forward.”

 APEC’s share of world tourism has been growing over the past 15 years, according to StatsAPEC, an extensive database showing economic performance in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC’s share of world tourism has increased from 28 percent in 1995 to currently 51 percent. International tourism arrivals in the APEC region have grown approximately 122 million over this period.

 During the plenary session, Ministers discussed the important role that the sector can play in contributing to APEC’s new growth strategy, which will be submitted to APEC Leaders for consideration when they meet in November in Yokohama.

 In particular, Ministers discussed the need for protection of the region’s natural and cultural assets to create a more environmentally sustainable sector. Creating more stable workforces in the sector and enabling tourism to generate business opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises would also lead to more inclusive growth of the sector that benefits more sections of society.

 Among other topics discussed was the importance of sharing information and ideas between member economies to strengthen the industry, and closer cooperation between APEC fora, the private sector and other international organisations to help achieve APEC’s goals.

 Ministers provided an assessment of the tourism industry in their economies, and also received a report on the results of the APEC Tourism Working Group. The meeting will continue on Thursday before Ministers are expected to release the “Nara Declaration” on Tourism and hold a press conference.

                                            # # #

For more information, contact:  Trudy Harris + 65 98983710 or th@apec.org

For StatsAPEC, visit: http://statistics.apec.org/