The tourism industry of PNG is looking up. According to Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey, the government has pointed out stimulus funds to help the tourism industry. He didn’t say the amount but added that the budget for tourism was overlooked. In a statement during the handover ceremony of the tourism ministry to incoming Walter Schnaubelt from outgoing Emil Tammur, he said, “Tourism is a serious economic portfolio, unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be always represented when putting together a budget.”
Ling-Stuckey added that the tourism industry had really been hit hard and that they need all the support to get back up.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism Kennedy Wenge said tourism was about taking care of the ownership of all resources. He added that aside from tourism, the government also zeroes in on agriculture. “Agriculture is based on export and import while tourism is a ‘hand purse’ industry meaning tourists bring money in and it remains in the country,” he said.
