Presentation on Tourism Development in the Kokoda Region by Rod Hillman
“Tourism Development in the Kokoda Region”
Introduction
• The Kokoda Track Authority, through funding from SEWPAC and support from TPA, is
developing a range of Tourism products and activities;
– Kokoda Region Tourism Action Plan
– Portfolio of Opportunities
– 70th Anniversary commemorations
– Value of Trekking Study
– Guesthouse and Trekker Toilet Certification
– Kokoda Operators Tourism Support
Kokoda Region
• The Kokoda Track Tourism Region covers;
– The Interim Protection Zone (Brown River catchment including the Kokoda Track and
associated viewshed)
– Variarata National Park and Hombrum bluff (Sirinumu Dam area in the future)
– Kokoda Highway to Popondetta & the ‘Northern Beaches’ (Buna, Gona & Sanananda)
Kokoda Region
Image: Map of the region with the following places identified:
Northern Beaches, Variarata Hombrum, Mt Victoria, Kokoda Hwy, Kokoda Track
Tourism Action Plan
• A list of Tourism actions collated from the numerous reports and plans generated over the
past fifteen years.
• All actions have PNG Government Agency support.
• Some actions are unfunded but remain on Agency workplans.
• The action plan should be seen as a minimum and other activities have a context to work
within.
Tourism Action Plan
• Developing Sustainable Tourism of the Owen Stanley Ranges, Brown River Catchment and
Kokoda Track Region that highlights its special natural, cultural and historic values.
• Four key focus areas have been identified;
– Strengthening the industry
– Partnering with Communities
– Protecting the Product
– Building the Market
Image: Flowchart. From top to bottom starting on the left, the text boxes read:
Overarching Vision: Developing Sustainable Tourism of the Owen Stanley Ranges, Brown
River Catchment and Kokoda Track Region that highlights its special natural, cultural and
historic values.
Strengthening Industry:
Develop institutional structures and capacity within the public and private sector to facilitate
tourism development at a National Provincial level
Work with local communities and tourism operators to improve the trekking experience and
track facilities
Work with regulatory authorities to improve safety for local communities living along the track
and tourists visiting the region
Partnering with Communities:
Nurture the alliance between all levels of government, tourism operators and not-for-profit
organisations.
Provide meaningful opportunities for local communities and individuals to benefit from tourism.
Facilitate quality training and education programs which meet industry needs, improve skill
levels and create awareness of the benefits of tourism
Protecting the Product:
Develop an integrated land use plan for the region
Identify and conserve the key natural, cultural and historic values of the Owen Stanley
Ranges for heritage conservation, protection and tourism development purposes
Building the Market:
Promote the natural, cultural and historic military values of the Track
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Encourage investment, develop, support and enhance new and existing tourism products that
deliver on the tourism vision.
Working with communities, landowners, industry & all levels of government to ensure that
activities are sustained into the future
Portfolio of Opportunities
• A list of tourism investment ready opportunities within the Kokoda Region.
• Accommodation at Owers Corner
• General Sales Agent for small operators (including hire service)
• Accommodation at Variarata National Park
• Accommodation opportunities linking Hombrum Bluff and Blameys Garden including
accommodation at 17 mile ‘Rock Hill Park”
• Upscale “Tented Camp” system across the Track
• Guesthouse Booking system
Portfolio of Opportunities
• “Off Track opportunities”
– Mt Victoria Trekking
– Vanapa and Brown River Rafting
– Oro Rivers Rafting
– Goiala Station to Kokoda Station Rafting
• “Front of House” operations for the National Museum & Art Gallery
• Opportunities on the Northern Beaches (Oro) subject to infrastructure improvements
– Tourism Boat service linking sites.
– Transport service between Kokoda and the Northern Beaches.
– Beach Resort style accommodation.
70th Anniversary Commemorations
• A series of commemorations will be held along the Kokoda Track to coincide with key dates
from the 1942 campaign.
• These are village based commemorations where the communities can reflect and
commemorate in a method chosen by themselves and will vary from village to village.
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•
• 29th July Sogeri
• 26th August Isurava
• 7th September Brigade Hill (8th is a Sabbath)
• 13th September Iorabaiwa
• 22nd September Eora Creek (commemoration at Alola)
• 2nd November Kokoda – Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Day (3rd is a Sabbath)
Value of Trekking
• Curtin University undertook an economic value study of the 2011 trekking season.
• Total value of trekking = $15,275,000
• Retained in Australia = $ 5,320,000 35%
• Airlines = $ 4,433,000 29%
• Villages = $ 1,830,000 12%
• Port Moresby = $ 3,695,000 24%
Guesthouse Certification
A Guesthouse Certification program will be introduced in 2013.
Standards have been developed and Village Workshops will commence in May.
Adherence will be monitored by independent auditors.
Certified Guesthouses will be identified by the KTA website and signs on the Guesthouse.
Kokoda Operators Tourism Support
• Tourism/Business training for Kokoda Track Tour Operators
• Feasibility of General Sales Agent for small operators (including hire service)
• Small startup inducement for General Sales Agent
Thank you.
Rod Hillman
rhillman@kokodatrackauthority.org
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Managing the Track with Trust, Respect and Pride www.kokodatrackauthority.org
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