Alotau has seen a boom in Tourism this year, particularly since there have been a multitude of international cruise ships calling to port in the Milne Bay Provincial Capital. This positive outlook was provided by the main man behind the Alotau Tourism Bureau (ATB), Acting Manager Mr. Modakula Kunuyobu. He said this year alone, they saw 52 registrations of SME Tour Operators; more than they have seen in the past years. “People that run PMVs and Taxis are also getting involved in tourism, by providing their services to the cruise ship tourists.” Mr. Kunuyobu explained that the current state of tourism in Alotau, stemmed from developing an authentic and Milne Bay focused product, in the past 5 years. “We can’t offer other water products like glass bottom boat tours or skiing… These are expensive and we don’t have the equipment for these kinds of tours.” “What we can offer is our Culture, our cultural lifestyle, local cuisine and traditional dances. And we can market these products easily online.” He went on to explain the informal manner in which they have been offering these cultural products to the cruise ship tourists. “So what we have been doing is having our youth ambassadors from the different cultural villages around Alotau, write down on placards, the products they are offering and they then set themselves up at the wharves to meet the cruise ship tourists.” “And when the tourists disembark, they can see what is been offered and they can then pick which tour to go on.” He said they plan to convert an old warehouse at the main Alotau seaport, into a showroom of sorts, where the local tourism SMEs can have a place to do a proper setup with displays of their products, as well as posters and brochures. This year, Alotau played host to a total of 34 international cruise ships and there will be an increase in this number come the New Year; a situation that the ATB Acting Manager said has had a positive influence on the people. “The locals continue to practice their traditions; this is creating sustainable tourism as well as helping them maintain their culture and traditions.” “They understand what tourism can and has done for them and they have become proactive in their approach towards the concept.” Mr. Kunuyobu said the development they are seeing is two-fold; in the space of tourism and also in that of the human resources of the Alotau and he is looking forward to more business in the New Year.