The Morobe Provincial Government is restructuring its tourism board to strengthen coordination across the industry and give businesses and communities a greater role in developing tourism opportunities across the province.
The Morobe Provincial Executive Council has appointed a new Tourism Board to advise and support the Provincial Government and Administration, with its membership drawn from tourism, business, agriculture, transport and community sectors.
The new structure moves away from appointments based primarily on political nominations and is intended to establish closer links between government and businesses and organisations involved in tourism and related economic activities.
Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita said the province needed a tourism board capable of working closely with the provincial administration and key sectors including commerce, transport, tourism attractions and tourism products.
He said tourism should be viewed as a broad economic activity extending beyond conventional tourism operators and major attractions.
“Tourism is everyone’s business,” Paita said, pointing to the movement of people between villages and Local Level Government areas as part of local economic activity.
People travelling for church conferences, community events and other gatherings contribute to local economies through the movement of people, goods and money, he said.
The broader approach is intended to identify and develop tourism opportunities at the local level while increasing participation by communities and businesses across Morobe.
The provincial government also wants to increase Morobe’s capacity to host sporting events and tournaments, including local competitions that can generate demand for accommodation, transport, food, retail and other services.
Agriculture is another area identified for tourism development, reflecting Morobe’s agricultural base and the potential to connect farming activities, agricultural organisations and tourism experiences.
The board will also focus on awareness and education, as well as promoting eco-tourism, culture and heritage.
Its composition reflects the provincial government’s push for greater industry and business participation in tourism planning and development.
Nominations came from the Chamber of Commerce, tour promoters, accommodation providers, transport operators, farmers and settlers, the Bulolo Agriculture Society, Morobe Agriculture Society, guides and porters, and community representatives.
PEC Chairman for Tourism and Hospitality Gideon Kepusing said the new board reflected the Paita-led provincial government’s “Move Morobe Up” policy of encouraging economic activity at the local level.
Kepusing said the board would provide advice and support to him and the Provincial Executive Council while helping communicate government policies and its tourism vision to communities across Morobe.
The newly sworn-in board comprises Jemmima Colbran as chairperson and Donna Harvey Hall as deputy chairperson, with members Debra Bubun, Zoe Harrison, Steven Wata, Tim Rodgers, Aaron Bimbo and Paul Pople.
Ex-officio representation includes the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, National Development Bank, Air Niugini and the adviser for the Division of Commerce, Tourism and Industry.
The board members have been appointed for three years.
The new structure is expected to improve coordination among government, tourism operators, businesses, financial institutions, transport providers, agricultural organisations and communities as Morobe seeks to increase tourism’s contribution to the provincial economy.
