Prime Minister James Marape recently lauded Papua New Guinea's remarkable eco-tourism potential, citing the nation's diverse cultures and pristine natural environments.
The Prime Minister, who is also the member for Tari-Pori district in Hela Province, made these comments after meeting with Sir Bob Bates, the legendary owner of Ambua Lodge and Trans Niugini Tours.
PM Marape paid tribute to Sir Bob Bates for his four decades of running Ambua Lodge, noting his pivotal role in promoting eco-tourism, creating employment, and fostering harmony between the environment and the people of Hela.
Opened in 1985 by Sir Bob Bates, Ambua Lodge is one of PNG's oldest and most renowned eco-tourism destinations.
Located just twenty minutes from Tari town within the scenic Ambua Gap, it overlooks the iconic Tari Basin and has become a symbol of Hela's authentic hospitality.
Speaking from the lodge, Prime Minister Marape reflected on his childhood in the Tari Valley and the peaceful existence of the lodge with the local community.
“Ambua Lodge will celebrate forty years of continuous operation. The same year PNG celebrated fifty years of Independence.”
“This place stands as a living testament that hospitality industry and community can coexist and thrive even in places the world sometimes misunderstands.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that for four decades, Ambua Lodge has operated without typical security barriers like barbed-wire fences, electric gates, or security walls, maintaining its reputation as a safe haven for visitors.
Its thirty boutique bungalows embody the spirit of eco-tourism, demonstrating that harmony between people, culture, and the environment can generate lasting peace and economic benefit.
The meeting between PM Marape and Sir Bob Bates was timely, as Sir Bob was also visiting the lodge. The two discussed the future of tourism in Tari, especially in light of new projects like the ground-breaking for the Hela Heritage Hotel.
“Forty years ago, who would have thought a lodge like this would open up in the middle of nowhere? Back then, there was no Highlands Highway, just a bush track.”
He contrasted this with the present-day modern airport in Tari with regular flights from major airlines.
“Unlike the stereotypical perceptions about law and order in our country, Ambua has proven that peace is possible,” the Prime Minister affirmed, noting that tourists from around the world have consistently felt welcome there.
The Prime Minister also fondly recalled his youth in 1991, when he worked as a tour guide at Ambua during school holidays, mentioning the spectacular waterfalls and the presence of more than thirteen species of Bird of Paradise that attract international birdwatchers.
He paid heartfelt tribute to Sir Bob Bates for his vision and lifelong contribution, commending him for establishing five similar lodges across the country, including:
• Bensbach (Western Province)
• Karawari (East Sepik)
• Malolo Plantation (Madang)
• Rondon Ridge (Western Highlands)
• Ambua Lodge (Hela)
Furthermore, he stressed that the potential for eco-tourism, business, and small enterprises in PNG remains immense, highlighting that long-term expatriates often understand the country’s true character and potential better than those who only hear negative stories.
He commended other tourism operators and provinces, specifically mentioning Walindi Beach Resort in West New Britain, and various resorts, hotels, and guest houses in Rabaul, Manus, New Ireland, Madang, Milne Bay, and Bougainville, as regions with great tourism potential.
Looking ahead, he emphasized that the upgrading of the Highlands Highway (from Lae to Tari) and the Port Moresby-Alotau coastal route will create major tourism corridors that showcase PNG's incredible diversity.
Concluding his reflections, the Prime Minister described the lodge as a "national treasure" as it prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary on December 31st, 2025.
He encouraged more Papua New Guineans to embrace eco-tourism as part of the nation’s journey into the next fifty years.
