International Tourists Visit Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea on a high note

European Tourists arrving at Kagaguma Airport, Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea. Photograph WHPG.

Front view of Westpac (PNG) Bank Limited, Mt. Hagen Branch, Western Highlands Province. Pictured by Peter Kinjap.

 Story by PEARSON KOLO

A total of 54 tourists from Europe visited Western Highlands Province last week. This is the single largest number of tourists the province has ever seen after reviving many of its tourism attracting facilities. It was a one day trip where the tourists, mainly retired elderly people from countries like France, Dutch, Spain, British and other European countries enjoyed the geographical feature of the province as soon as they step out of the plane at Kagamuga airport. The tourists who were part of tourists traveling in a cruise ship visiting the country flew into Mt Hagen from Port Moresby in the morning and flew back in the afternoon.
Western Highlands Governor Tom Olga who described the tourism industry in the province as a sleeping giant said the glamorous features of the province must be promoted to attract both international and local tourists. Governor Olga said developing tourism sites in the province is not only for the money but also to expose our people to the outside world and also to allow the outside world to enjoy our beautiful.

The new Provincial Headquarters in Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Pictured by Peter Kinjap.

A local tour operator in the province made the arrangements for the tourists to visit the province. The tourists visited places like the Kuk Heritage Centre, the Mt Hagen Market, and several villages around the city of Mt Hagen. 

A women's welda group from Hagen Central. Photo courtesy of WHP Commerce, Tourism and Culture.

Kuru-ware cultural dance by Gaim Engwal tribe from Lower Kaguel, Tambul-Nebilyer District, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.

A France couple who were part of the visiting tourists described Mt Hagen and Western Highlands place as exotic and spectacular where the climate and the geographical feature were new thing to them. The couple said they hoped the stayed longer to visit all parts of the province and get to know the people. The Western Highlands Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Tom Olga has revived many of the tourism sites in the province and the number of tourists visiting the province has steadily increased over the past few years. The World class Baiyer River Bird Sanctuary, the Kuk Heritage Centre and many exotic tourism sites in the province are being developed.

A cultural group performing at Mt. Hagen Cultural Show 2014 at Rabiamul Oval.

(source: Western Highlands Provincial Official Website)