The Rise, Fall and Future of Kokoda Tourism
The management of Kokoda tourism is not a difficult challenge.
The trek itself is a wartime historical pilgrimage across land owned by traditional custodians in PNG.
The management system should therefore be designed to meet the needs of those who invest in a tourism enterprise to conduct treks across the Trail, their paying customers, the economic needs of villagers who own the land through employment opportunities, the payment of fees, and the provision of goods and services.
The management body which collects fees for trek permits is responsible for putting systems in place which allow for the licensing of approved tour companies, compliance with the PNG IPA Act, a campsite accreditation system, a campsite booking system, a trek itinerary management system, a trail maintenance system, a welfare protection system for guides and porters, and a database system to support philanthropic initiatives.
