NG is now the only country in the world which allows its most popular tourism destination to be managed as an environment park controlled by foreign aid-funded environment officials, consultants, anthropologists, archeologists, and social engineers rather than as a tourism enterprise for the economic benefit of traditional landowner communities!
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Over the past 32 years I have led 101 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail. During this time I have also travelled to Canberra to brief eight of the 11 Ministers for Veterans Affairs and three of the Ministers for International Aid and the Pacific, on the need to protect our shared military heritage across the Kokoda Trail. Unfortunately, there were no outcomes from these meetings.
I have also submitted numerous papers with suggestions for improving the management of Kokoda pilgrimage tourism. These were based on the collective experience of our trek leaders who have a combined total of 160 years professional military experience and who have led more than 600 expeditions across the Trail over the past 32 years. All have been ignored by DFAT environment officials in Canberra and Port Moresby.
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These papers, submissions and articles in the following blogs encapsulate my 32-year involvement with the Kokoda Trail in particular, and PNG in general. During this time, I was able to lead 101 expeditions across the Trail and share the experience with more than 2,000 wonderful Australians from all walks of life.
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Under Australian management since 2009 trekker numbers have declined by 42% resulting in a direct annual loss of $1.2 million (K3.1 million) for village communities across the Trail.
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The illegal blockade on the Kokoda Trail should be the catalyst for an inquiry into the operation...
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