Don’t abandon PNG, plead operators
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority is urging travellers not to give up on PNG as a holiday destination in the wake of the recent attack on trekkers on the Black Cat Track.
The authority said there is concern in the travel industry that the entire country and its people will be tarred by "this isolated attack".
Four suspects have been arrested, accused of hacking to death three porters, crippling 10 and beating and robbing nine Australian trekkers.
PNGTPA believes Australians are aware that Kokoda, the country’s most popular and well-established track, has appropriate management agreements and safety measures in place for trekkers.
Peter Miller, director of trekking company No Roads Expeditions, said the popular Kokoda Track is more than 200kms from the Black Cat Track.
"Kokoda is much better equipped to provide trekker safety and there is no need to cancel plans to travel to PNG," Miller said.
Peter Vincent, CEO of PNGTPA, said the Kokoda Track Authority works toward ensuring the local communities along Kokoda are benefiting from the tourist dollar.
"KTA charges a trekking fee to all operators and this money goes toward health, education and micro business development in the Kokoda communities which helps build a sustainable tourism industry for them," Vincent said.
Ian Jarrett
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