Author: Charlie

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 chapter examines the potential of a wartime pilgrimage tourism industry based on the development of a successful management model for the Kokoda Trail. It examines the factors relevant to Kokoda tourism over the past decade and suggests a marketing strategy based on a Military Heritage Master Plan; Anzac Day, Kokoda Day, the development of Owers Corner and a social media campaign.

The KTA Forum was conducted at short notice with insufficient time to prepare detailed submissions for discussion. As it transpired it was more of a briefing session. No Notices of Motions were provided, none were moved and the only substantive decision taken was to have another forum in May 2019!