Minister calls for partnership in tourism
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Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency, the Most Reverend, Archbishop Francisco Padilla blessing the centre. |
DWU Council chairman, Fr Garrett Roche (foreground) and Minister for Culture and Tourism Charles Abel jointly cutting the ribbon to mark the opening of the Global Travel Centre at DWU campus in Madang yesterday. |
Mr Abel speaking to DWU's Professor Deane Arganbright and his wife Susan at the international counter of the Global Travel Centre. |
Minister for Culture and Tourism, Charles Abel last Sunday highlighted the importance of partnership in developing the tourism industry in the country.
He said the myriad of “inefficient and dysfunctional” developmental pursuits in PNG, such as in tourism, can be improved by various stakeholders working in partnership and sharing resources and skills.
Mr Abel was speaking at the annual Open Day of Divine Word University in Madang where he formally opened the University’s travel and tourism agency, Global Travel Centre.
Mr Abel and DWU Council Chairman Fr Garrett Roche jointly cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the building.
Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency, the Most Reverend, Archbishop Francisco Padilla when blessing the centre said the facility was the fruit of the foresight and commitment of DWU President Fr Jan Czuba and his council members and was a very important addition to the services at the university.
Mr Abel said the government, businesses, training institutions such as DWU and others concerned with tourism must work in partnership to develop this renewal resource.
He said DWU was “an inspiration” for everyone to emulate where the university goes out of its way to promote and foster partnerships and make the most of limited resources.
He said PNG’s limited finances can be better used by working in partnership to develop various aspects of the country, including tourism.
President of DWU, Fr Jan Czuba concurred with Mr Abel and said the university was committed in working in partnership in tourism and other programs it offers. The theme of this year’s Open Day ‘In Partnership for Total Quality Management’ captivated the essence of partnership with various stakeholders.
Fr Czuba said Jesus Christ the “Divine Word” teaches unity among people and that is what the university espouses and promotes.
He said the Open Day was very important occasion for the university and the public as it was not only good to know about DWU through the media but people should come and see the university for themselves in person to appreciate it.
Head of the Tourism and Hospitality Department, John Imbal when welcoming Mr Abel and guests said the Global Travel Centre was a milestone achievement for the university in higher education and congratulated Fr Jan and his executives for investing in it. He also thanked the various partners such as Madang Resort Hotel, Coral Sea Hotels through Coast Watchers Hotel among others for working in partnership with the university to all his students to offer practical work and fulltime employment.
Mr Imbal said the facility will be used for practical sessions by students as well.
Mr Abel said the government through his ministry is overhauling the whole approach to tourism to make the sector vibrant and beneficial to the country.
He said for too long the focus has been on marketing while the industry at home - in terms of infrastructure, law and order, transport and support services - was not fully developed or non-existent.
Mr Abel said among the new approaches is the selection of five model tourism provinces including Madang, revitalization of provincial tourism bureaus and bringing competition to the airline industry.
Mr Abel said it was important to refocus and prioritize on few provinces that and make tourism work rather than promote the entire country and miss out in the end.
The Open Day sees the university open its facilities, academic programs and services for the public to see. The occasion allows the university through its faculties and departments to invite their partners to showcase their various programs, activities and collaborative endeavours.
