PNG Cruising: Development at Alotau

[Sandielle]

From Post-Courier, Friday 10th May 2013

 

Governor happy with preparations for Aussie cruise ship

 

MILNE Bay governor Titus Philemon has expressed delight at the progress being made on the preparations to host the first cruise ship by Carnival Australia in early November.

Mr Philemon particularly lauded the work being undertaken by the PNG Ports Corporation to extend the Alotau port with the construction of a new berthing, land mooring and new decking on the existing port.

K40 million is being spent on this project and when completed, it will add 290 metres of berthing space, making it the largest port of call in the country for cruise ships.

The rebuilding of the Alotau port infrastructure compliments the hydrographical survey that is being conducted by Carnival Australia in the province.

The survey is funded by Ports PNG and involves the sea bed around the Trobriand Islands from which navigational charts will be produced to guide cruise ships to move safely in and out of islands. Apart from Alotau, the cruise ships will also visit Kiriwina and Kitava Island.

On its part, the Milne Bay Provincial Government has allocated K100, 000 for preparatory workshops and training of local operators and tour guides.

The preparatory workshops and training is being undertaken by the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority and the Milne Bay Tourism Bureau.

The first of the Carnival Australia cruise ships, Pacific Dawn, will arrive in Alotau on November 4, carrying with it about 2000 tourists.

The popular Kenu & Kundu Festival, which celebrates its 10th festival this year, will be extended by a day to cater for the tourists coming ashore in Alotau town. The festival committee has decided that the festival will now run from November 1-4.

“I want to thank the National Government and also the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority for recognising the potential that Milne Bay Province has in tourism development. The decision to make Milne Bay as a major destination for cruise tourism is the right one,” governor Philemon said.

“I want to assure everyone that the people and Government of Milne Bay will play our part to ensure the cruise visits are successful. We have a lot of activities going on that will support the cruise tourism program, including the Samarai Restoration project,” he said.

The governor said because Milne Bay was regarded as a major tourist destination and because his Government understood the benefits that tourism could bring to the province, he had assured that his government would facilitate and support this development.

Milne Bay Province has also been selected by the National Government to pilot eco-tourism development because of its richness in culture, diverse wildlife, history and the best diving in the world.

“The best of everything that we can offer tourists is our hospitality and our peaceful and friendly nature as the people of Milne Bay,” governor Philemon said.

“The cruise ship project will compliment the eco-tourism focus our governments are pursuing. I am excited about this and hope that the project can also be extended to other parts of the province, as there is much to see and experience,” he said.

Samarai Island could regain its former “Pearl of the South Pacific” tag, with the provincial government finally allocating funds in the 2013 budget to begin rehabilitation of the historic facilities on the island.

[tuckysxr]

Well that is good news, I am glad we are going

[horrie33]

Yes, real good news. We are going too and first look "google" didn't show too much infrastructure but hopefully all will be right when we get there. Just hope that the first cruise (4 Nov) doesn't buy all the good stuff before we get there later in the month!

It should be nice as it is really only a village and we shouldn't expect too much.

[Kiwi_cruiser]

It sounds like the PNG Government are looking forward to P&O visiting the region.

[thied]

Well that is good news, I am glad we are going

 

so am i as ill be right beside you