“The brand Kokoda has been selling itself for the last couple of years,” Agus said.
“Kokoda is not only important for the tourism sector but also for the Government. It has been one of the key products we have been promoting in the Australian market over the years.”
He said the number of tourists visiting Kokoda peaked at around 6000 some years back. But it started to fall to an annual average of 3000.
“We want to grow the numbers again. To do that, we need government support from Australia and PNG and stakeholders,” he said.
“But most importantly for the people along the Kokoda track, the people of the Koiari area, and also the Kokoda area.”
The TPA and the Kokoda Track Authority had organised activities for Kokoda’s 75th anniversary.
Events include ANZAC Day on April 25 at the Bomana World War Two cemetery, National Remembrance Day on July 23 and the Kokoda Day on Nov 3 at the Kokoda station and Isurava Memorial.
(Source: The National 05 April 2017)
The Kokoda Track is the leading brand for tourism in PNG, Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive officer Jerry Agus says.
