by Delly Waigeno – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture was handed over to the new Minister responsible, Justin Tkatchenko, today in a small ceremony in Port Moresby.
Handing over the reins was the caretaker Minister and Minister for Planning, Charles Abel.
In light of the recent attack on tourists on the Kokoda Track, Minister Tkatchenko, said it was ‘selfish individuals who spoil it for the majority’ and that a change of attitude was needed.
The handover takeover ceremony took place in the presence of officers from Tourism Promotion Authority, its new board, outgoing CEO, Peter Vincent, and those from the Office of Tourism, Arts & Culture.
Minister for National Planning and former acting Tourism Minister, Charles Abel, welcomed the new Minister and expressed confidence in Mr Tkatchenko’s abilities in moving the Tourism sector forward.
Minister Tkatchenko said 2016 was a time to get work done on the ground to see quality products created and marketed effectively.
Minister Abel informed that new initiatives are being undertaken in the Tourism sector and Minister Tkatchenko said it was time to make those initiatives happen.
