It was the closure of the Bougainville Panguna Mine in 1989 by the BRA Rebel, Leader Francis Ona that lead to a protracted war, loss of 20,000 lives and 40% of PNG GDP wiped out that inspired young PNG surfer, Andy Abel schooling on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia to have a vision to create his home grown Abel Reverse Spiral Model and policies that now underpin the growing success of the Surfing /Surf tourism industry in Papua New Guinea underpinned by the SAPNG Surf Management Plan (SMP) which is unique to Papua New Guinea.
Fast forward 2021, The Surfing Association Papua New Guinea Inc (SAPNG), once again chalks up another significant milestone with the historic signing of the first SAPNG Surf Management Plan (SMP) agreement with the Chiefs and Traditional Resource Custodians of Pokpok Island and villages of mainland Arawa, Central Bougainville area called the SAPNG Pirung Surf Management Plan.
This historic signing, 32 years on since the foundation of the Surfing Association Papua New Guinea between SAPNG President & Co-Founder Andrew C.Abel,ML, Chief Peter Garuai of Pokpok Island, SAPNG Pirung SMP Executive Committee Chairlady Mrs Theresa Jaintong and Chairlady of Central Bougainville Ms Laurelle Pentanu, is the culmination of SAPNG carrying out the necessary ground work on Pokpok island since 2017 with donation of 50 surfboards and series of consultative meetings with the traditional resource custodians who make up the SAPNG Pirung SMP area covering a 10 kilometre radius, headed up by Chief Peter Garuai with the support of AROB Speaker Hon Simon Pentanu who also assisted with SAPNG President & Co-Founder Andrew C.Abel,ML presenting to the AROB House of Parliament in Buka.
The occasion also witnessed the staging of the Central Bougainville Tourism Association (CBTA) which appointed a new Chairlady headed up by Ms Laurelle Pentanu along with former Chairman Mr Zhon Bosco and other Central Bougainville Chiefs.
The signing of the historic SAPNG Pirung SMP Agreement coincided with Tourism Awareness Workshop over two days on 4th and 5th August, 2021 by the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority lead by Senior Marketing Officer, Mr Joel Keimelo working together with SAPNG President & Co-Founder Andrew C.Abel,ML to deliver the necessary training and comprehensive understanding of the SAPNG Surf Management Plan model and policies, that are now been implemented in Central Bougainville in the development and promotion of surfing and surf tourism, based on the precedence set up by SAPNG in other provinces of Vanimo- West Sepik, Kavieng and Central New Ireland, Tupira Bogia District Madang, Wewak- East Sepik and Milne Bay over the last 32 years.
The evolution of the successful SAPNG Surf Management Plan working in partnership with traditional resource custodians are based on the four key pillars of negotiations, planning, implementation and management of the surfing resource that is owned by the resource custodian host communities. Mr Abel said that the key to opening up new tourism destinations and growing the tourism niche sector in line with PM Marape “take back PNG” policies, is to interface and work directly in partnership with the traditional resource custodians anywhere in PNG be it in the highlands to coastal areas, as the traditional resource custodians are the gatekeepers and custodians of “their” respective niche tourism attractions.
Mr Abel stated that as PNG marks 46 years next month since gaining independence in 1975, traditional resource custodians across the niche tourism spectrum including but not limited to Kokoda Trail have been circumvented and alienated in many areas around Papua New Guinea in the four key pillars mentioned above, resulting in the net outcome of the traditional resource custodian host communities been relegated as mere beggars and bystanders on “their” own traditional land ,contrary to the five key policy directives of the Preamble of the National Constitution.
Mr Abel stated that If Tourism in Papua New Guinea including that of Bougainville, are to thrive and play a significant role in contributing to the social and economic development of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville as it pursues Independence consistent with the five key policy directives of the Preamble of the National Constitution, then it is of paramount importance that the political and beurocratic leaders take heed of what he is saying, as adopting western style approach of developing tourism from the top down, will never work as it is unsustainable, with very little financial benefits reticulating into the hands of the gatekeepers of the respective tourism sectors.
The key to SAPNG success 32 years on all around Papua New Guinea and now expanding the SAPNG SMP model and policies into Bougainville, is based on developing tourism from the bottom up, hence the Abel Reverse Spiral Model which has proven to be equitable and sustainable and works from a practical point of view in ensuring the reticulation of social and economic benefits to the traditional resource custodians that make up 85% of PNG and Bougainville population, that reside in the provincial rural areas.
The SAPNG and PNG Tourism Promotion Authority are working together as strategic partners to develop the surf tourism industry based on the proven and successful SAPNG home grown model and policies in line with the soon to be launched National Tourism Plan 2021- 2025, to ensure Tourism continues to contribute to the economic sector despite Covid Pandemic.
The Surfing Association Papua New Guinea Inc (SAPNG) now has eleven affiliated surf clubs and seven surf management plans established around Papua New Guinea and now in Central Bougainville.