This paper is based on my experiences leading 101 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail over a 32 year period between 1991-2023.
Prior to this there was no Kokoda tourism industry and no income for subsistence villagers who lived across it.
During my time in PNG I spent almost 100% of my time on the Kokoda Trail working with our guides and carriers and either living in their villages or among them on the Sogeri plateau.
My purpose is to summarize the situation which led to the rise of Kokoda tourism under PNG management from 2004 – 2008; its demise under the management of Australian environment officials from 2009 – 2023; and its potential as a high-value, world-class pilgrimage tourism destination for the economic benefit of traditional communities who own the land sacred to our shared wartime heritage.
Click on Chapter links below:
CHAPTER 3: A Hard Slog to Kokoda – Canberra Times
CHAPTER 4: Proposal for a Master Plan to develop Kokoda as a National Memorial Park
CHAPTER 5: Parliamentary Speeches by the Hon Charlie Lynn: 1998-2014
CHAPTER 6: Proposal to carry the Olympic Torch across the Kokoda Trail 2000 Olympics
CHAPTER 7: 2005 Review of the Kokoda Track Authority
CHAPTER 8: The Kokoda Track Foundation: 2003-2006
CHAPTER 9: The Mt Kodu Goldmine
CHAPTER 10: Discussion Paper on the Kokoda trekking industry
CHAPTER 11: Proposal for a Kokoda Day Proclamation
CHAPTER 12: KTA Correspondence re Directors Fraud
CHAPTER 13: Australia assumes control of Kokoda tourism
CHAPTER 14: Official Naming Rights for the Kokoda Trail
CHAPTER 15: The Annette Dean Management Experiment
CHAPTER 16: The Rod Hillman Era of Mismanagement: 2009-2012
CHAPTER 17: The Mark Nizette Era of Influence: 2011-2023
CHAPTER 18: Kokoda: Beyond the Legend
CHAPTER 19: Kokoda: Time for a Rethink
CHAPTER 20: Response to the Kokoda Initiative Mid-Term Review
CHAPTER 21: Kokoda Trail Management: The Way Ahead
CHAPTER 22: Potential of a PNG Wartime Tourism Industry
CHAPTER 23: A Marketing Strategy for PNG Tourism
CHAPTER 24: Response to 2018 KTA Forum Minutes
CHAPTER 25: Response to the Kokoda Track Authority Review of 4 July 2018
CHAPTER 26: Response to the PNG National Military Heritage Plan for the Kokoda Track
CHAPTER 27: Databased Evaluation of the Kokoda Trekking Industry
CHAPTER 28: Response to 2019 KTA Forum Minutes
CHAPTER 29: Review of the Kokoda Initiative 2019 Report
CHAPTER 30: Call for an Inquiry into the management of the Kokoda Trail
CHAPTER 31: Chronology of Facts regarding the Kokoda Trail
CHAPTER 32: Review of the Oxford Policy Management Report on the Kokoda Initiative
CHAPTER 33: Conflict between management theory and practice in a Melanesian Context
CHAPTER 34: Review of the Proposed Kokoda Track Management Authority Bill
CHAPTER 35: Organizational Strategy for Kokoda Pilgrimage Tourism
CHAPTER 36: Proposed Joint Understanding for Military Heritage
CHAPTER 37: Unlawful Cancellation of Adventure Kokoda Tour Operator’s Licence
