The Kokoda Tour Operators Association (KTOA) is a shameless Australian lobby group established to cash in on the Kokoda trekking industry and protect their business interests in Papua New Guinea

They operate illegally in PNG as all but one of their 8 members are not registered as a ‘Foreign Enterprise’ in PNG in accordance with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) Act. The one that is registered has not filed an Annual Return as required by the Act for more than a decade.

This allows them to effectively avoid their taxation obligations in PNG.

Under the current KTOA-KTA alliance the exploitations of guides, porters and villagers is destined to continue as they have effectively been ‘sold-out’ by their own management.

Local guides and porters have to endure harsh conditions along the Trail
No trek uniforms = No pride!
No uniforms
No control over the weight KTOA porters have to carry
This is what pride looks like!
Unifoms, zippered sleeping bags and foam sleeping mats should be the norm for PNG guides and porters
PNGs best ambassadors when they are treated with respect