First impression vital for tourism attraction

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Belden Namah, said that when tourists visit a country, they always draw conclusions depending on the first impression. And that first is always the lasting impression.

Namah said that keeping towns, cities, districts, and provinces clean will always give a positive impression.

"Our roads must be clean, free of graffiti, free of littering. this is one of the tourism products by creating an environment and showcasing our country on a first impression," Namah said.

Mr Namah said the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture has been embarking on numerous policies, interventional policies in our country to drive the industry, but providing the right kind of environment to create that atmosphere appealing to our tourists is key.

Namah said Papua New Guinea is paradise, it's the place where everyone wants to come despite lawlessness and other social problems.

"It all depends on how locals are properly engaged," he said.

Namah proposes for tourism police division

The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister further highlighted several initiatives that can be undertaken to coordinate and boost the tourism industry and give confidence.

From other key points stressed, Mr Namah proposed to government's creation of a tourism police division.

"A police division that is committed to protect tourism in our country must be separate from the regular police.

"When the tourists arrive at our ports, whether it's an airport or seaport, we must have tourist police looking after our tourists,"Mr Namah said.

While adding that PNG's tourism promotion is everyone's business, and from his end, he's committed to making this happen.