Minister Namah officiates at UNRE World Tourism Day celebrations

Groundbreaking ceremony for the John Momis Ocean and Climate Research Institute at Vunavutung, East New Britain (Image: NBC News)

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Belden Namah, has officiated at the Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment [PNG UNRE] Culture and Tourism Day celebrations at the Vudal Campus in East New Britain.

Namah attended the event as guest of honour as part of a two-day official visit to the province.

His visit included a groundbreaking ceremony for the John Momis Ocean and Climate Research Institute at Vunavutung and the launching of the university's commercial arm, NR & E Corporation Limited, in Rabaul.

Speaking at the Vudal Campus, Namah praised the university council and administration for combining higher education, research, and cultural preservation into practical tourism initiatives.

"I commend the wisdom of the university council for demonstrating how education, research, culture, and tourism can work together," Namah said.

PNG UNRE has offered a Bachelor of Sustainable International Tourism under its School of Sustainable Resource Management and Business Studies since 2018, establishing itself as a premier institution for tourism studies in the country.

Namah announced that the national government plans to formalize strategic partnerships with the university before the end of the year to drive economic growth through sustainable tourism.

"Before this year ends, I will ensure UNRE signs a memorandum of understanding with the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, the National Cultural Commission, and the National Museum and Art Gallery," he said.

"UNRE will become the centre of excellence in preserving our natural resources, our culture, and our traditions."

Following its inauguration, the PNG UNRE Culture and World Tourism Day has been officially listed on the National Cultural Commission's annual events calendar, aligned with global World Tourism Day commemorations on September 27.

Namah reassured the university that the ministry will continue providing structural and financial support for tertiary tourism programs and cultural preservation.