May 17, 2010

PNGTPA chief executive, Peter Vincent (second from left) and Mr Jerry Agus (seventh from left) with some of the students who organized and staged the expo last Friday, 14 May, 2010.

The PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) has praised Divine Word University for hosting its third successful tourism expo – the Liklik Diwai Turism Expo – last Friday 14 May, 2010.

Manager Policy and Planning of PNG TPA, Jerry Agus, said the authority was proud of the initiative and pledged its continued support “as lead government agency responsible for tourism development in PNG”.

“PNG Tourism (Authority) has supported this event over the last three years and will continue to support any event and initiative that supports and promote our common objective – to promote PNG as a desired tourist destination,” Mr Agus said.

“This Expo serves as a platform to encourage school learners, (university) students and unemployed youth to pursue a career in tourism.”

He said the partnership between stakeholders was necessary. The theme for the 2010 Expo was “In Partnership for Quality Development in Tourism and Hospitality Industry”.
President of DWU, Fr Jan Czuba said the expo is a demonstration of students believing in themselves and to invent their futures.

Fr Czuba said it shows the potential students have in organizing and managing time and work under pressure. He said it was an example of the skills and knowledge students can employ outside of their academic work in lecture rooms.

He urged partners to support the university by sharing their expertise and experiences and improve the curriculum.

Mr Nathan Lati, a graduate of the program who took part in the inaugural Expo in 2008 also praised his juniors for the successful show this year.
Mr Lati who is employed by Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS) in Madang said partnership was the way to go for tourism training providers such as DWU and others in the business to move the industry forward.

Mr Lati said unlike some other industries, tourism “distributes wealth widely” as people from different strata of society were involved in various aspects of it.

Mr Agus said even though the tourism sector is one of the largest and most diverse industries in the world, it remains largely untapped sector when it comes to attracting young individuals to choose it as a career.

Besides, Mr Agus noted that the DWU expo provides a venue to showcase young people the vast potential, great opportunities and rewarding jobs within the tourism sector, a meeting place for potential employees with employers, and a rewarding experience of what is on offer for tourists.

The expo in its third year is staged by final year students in the Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management program as part of their course unit ‘Events Management’.

The Managing director of PNGTPA, Peter Vincent was among various guests at the expo that had over 15 exhibitors from the various sectors involved in tourism including village communities, hotels and guest houses and car rental companies and TPA.