Pacific Games to promote tourism in PNG

THE 2015 Pacific Games will play a vital role in the promotion of the tourism sector in PNG, says 2015 games chief executive officer Peter Stewart. The games will in a big way market and showcase PNG to the outside world, changing the wrong and negative perceptions about the country.

Mr Stewart said this while addressing students and participants at the 8th tourism conference yesterday organised by the University of Papua New Guinea’s third year tourism and hospitality management students and staff.

This year’s conference is based on the theme, "Pacific Games 2015: Cascading for Tourism Development in Papua New Guinea". Over K1 billion has been earmarked by the O’Neill-Dion Government for infrastructure development for the 2015 Pacific Games.

The Games itself will cost around K200 million to operate for which the Government is contributing half while the rest is being contributed by corporate bodies. Mr Stewart said so much is being invested in the games because it has significant long term benefits for the economy of PNG.

"Minerals and resources will dry out, tourism is a sustainable industry and it is an opportunity for us to use various events in sports to market and showcase our country to the outside world and Pacific Games will contribute one part of that to the tourism sector," he said.

Over 4000 people will be in Port Moresby next year to observe and participate in the games. Mr Stewart said the only question people will ask before coming to PNG is "will it be safe for us to go there?"

"People always get a wrong and negative perception concerning security and health issues here in PNG. "There are so much ridiculous stories and perceptions that not only Australians but also others think about PNG.

"Port Moresby is no more a dangerous city compared to so many in the world and 2015 Pacific Games is one of the ways to change this perception," he said. Mr Stewart said more than 300 media personnel from different media organisations will be arriving prior to the Games in 2015.

"This is an opportunity for the people to show the world that PNG is a wonderful, safe and beautiful place with great people of diverse cultures and languages," he said.