A new partnership between Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) will now see a new product called Geo-Tourism as a means to attract tourists and generate revenue for the industry.
Geo-tourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the significant features of a place, whether it be its history, aesthetics or the environment.
This concept draws on the country’s tropical and natural geographical landscapes including rocks, caves and springs, which carry unique historical stories such as origins and formation.
The idea is to survey and identify these distinctive features, research and write about the scientific aspects behind their formation, and present them as tourism products.
Managing Director of MRA, Philip Samar, and TPA CEO, Jerry Agus, signed an MOU recently to develop geo-tourism collaboratively by sharing resources and expertise.
Under the MOU, MRA will provide descriptions of significant geological features to promote geo-conservation and protection of critical landscapes (geo-heritages) and develop geoscience education and communication, as well as geological maps and atlases.
TPA will provide leadership in building, providing and managing Geo-tourism sites, systems and other administrative functions. They will also liaise with relevant stakeholders, such as businesses, NGOs, landowners, and national government departments to develop the sites.
Geo-tourism will be initially trialled in the National Capital District, Central and East New Britain. Apart from it generating income, it will be the first for communities to appreciate the science of how their surrounding environments were formed.
