National Kenu and Kundu Festival in Milne Bay cancelled

Milne Bay's iconic annual National Kenu and Kundu Festival for this year has been cancelled.

Three weeks short of the event held every first weekend of November, a notice was released via social media advicing it would not be staged this year.

Chairman Habona Tasman stated the decision stemmed from a hefty K400,000 debt they needed to clear and a clash with LLG Election polling dates that run through the same time.

Tourism industry operators in Milne Bay have expressed disappointment at the last-minute cancellation, worried it could see a bad rap for future visitors.

Maleta Tokwakwasi, Chairperson of the Milne Bay Tourism Industry Association also alluded to the bad taste in which this last-minute notice was released, revealing there were international tourists already making their way over.

She warned this major draw card event for the province must not be treated with such carelessness, warning it could be a big blow to the industry if not careful.

The Milne Bay Tourism Bureau refused to comment on the matter.