The Morobe Tourism Bureau has brought in a total of 120 tourists; the first lot of tourists to arrive in the Morobe Province, following the uplifting of the COVID 19 restrictions.
Morobe Tourism Bureau CEO, Mr. Defol Jabbar says this is a significant milestone for tourism in the Province, adding also that this is a unique experience for tourists returning to the shores of the Morobe Province.
“The 120 tourists mostly from France had arrived at Mou Village on a cruise expedition recently and spent the whole day with the locals participating in Cultural activities and traditional singsings, cooking, canoe building, sago roof weaving and other activities.”
There were other engaging activities for the tourists, including canoe racing, boat rives, river trips, snorkeling, trips to the local beaches, as well as the sale of arts and crafts, and local fruits and vegetables allowed for the flow of foreign currency into the local economy.
“The tourists were also given a unique experience of river expedition rides on nearby Mopi and Mou river outlets.”
Defol was pleased to note that there was a keen interest from their visitors and he predicts an increase in tourist to the Province this year.
This was the Morobe Tourism Bureau CEO’s first time experiencing, handling and facilitating a cruise tourism niche operation, which he was pleased to say was successfully delivered.
Meanwhile the Board Chairman of Morobe Tourism Bureau and Council member of Lae Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr Namon Mawason urged Morobeans to be mindful of false Tourism schemes popping up with unrecognized trainings for Tour Guides and tourism initiatives.
He went onto to strongly discourage the Provincial, District and the Local Government Authorities not to partner with such people as they stand to jeopardize the tourism potential in the Province.
“An unknown entity named Eco-Tourism Consultancy Services has been going around Morobe Province for some time with dubious activities with Morobe people with training for Tourism ship arrivals and nothing has evaluated ever since . This practice must stop now.”
Mr Mawason also thanked the Morobe Provincial Government through Governor Luther Akisawa Wenge for allocating K100,000 towards Morobe Tourism Bureau Inc operations in 2023, adding that more of such partnerships are needed to boost tourism in the Province.
“Morobe Tourism Bureau Inc is the only entity Registered, Certified and Recognized Provincial Tourism body affiliated with PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, PNG National Cultural Commission, PNG National Museum & Arts Gallery, PNG Tourism Industry, Morobe Provincial Government and works in partnership with local tour operators and stakeholders for promotion and marketing of sustainable domestic tour packages, products and destination available
