French company set to develop luxury eco-tourism resort on Woodlark Island
French Israeli company Gims Group International is a step closer to developing a luxury eco-resort on Woodlark Island in the Samarai-Murua District of Milne Bay Province.
Local MP Isi Henry Leonard said the proposed Edenya Resort project is more than just a tourism venture but will be an economic opportunity for the district and the country.
“This is not just about tourism,” Leonard said. “It’s about our image, our people, and our country. Out of this, we can create a new standard of tourism, something that becomes Papua New Guinea’s brand to the world.”
He said the project has the potential to generate employment, boost economic growth, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance international connectivity.
The resort project follows the signing of 22 letters of intent by Gims Group during the 2019 World Expo. This week, a delegation from France and Israel, led by Gims Project Manager Arthur Lerhmann, arrived in Papua New Guinea to assess the site firsthand.
A welcome dinner was hosted early this week by MP Leonard at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby to officially receive the delegation.
Leonard spoke highly of the natural beauty and cultural richness of Woodlark Island, describing it as uniquely positioned to become a global eco-tourism destination.
“Woodlark has a rare appeal,” he said. “Tonight, we are privileged to welcome investors from France and Israel who are backing a concept that will draw interest from around the globe.”
Project Manager Lerhmann said the Edenya Resort aims to connect Papua New Guinea with the world, and vice versa.
“We’re here to help bring the world to Papua New Guinea and to take PNG’s amazing culture to the world,” he said. “It’s about building a bridge between people, nature, and cultures.”
On Tuesday, the investor team flew to Milne Bay and visited Woodlark Island to conduct initial site assessments and engage with local communities. The tour marked the first step in formal planning and design of the eco-resort.
If successful, the Edenya Resort will establish Woodlark Island as a new tourism hub and redefine eco-tourism standards in Papua New Guinea.