The Lae City Tourism Bureau (LCTB), formed in 2018 under the Lae City Authority, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA).
Papua New Guinea is a remarkable country — scenic, with fishing, diving, surfing, trekking, diversity, eco-tourism, mountainous landscapes — much of it untapped, and much of it residing in Lae and Morobe Province. The challenges are real: travel and costs, accommodation, standards of operators and customer service. But if not now, when?
This signing marks a re-start. Many faces past and living had a tourism project through Morobe Tourism — the late Alan McLay, Fred Cook, Murray Fletcher, Maine Winny, Blondie Quinn, Nellie McLay, and many more. The LCTB now picks that legacy back up.
LCTB is headed by Maine Winny and supported by Janise Banjoi. They are the advisory hub, and now — with a committee formed under independent Chairman John Byrne, reporting to and steering the objectives of the LCA Chairman and CEO — this MoU signing marks the rebirth of Lae tourism.
PNGTPA was represented by Kennewton Kennedy, Executive Manager — Partnership and Product Development. The MoU was signed by LCA CEO Robin Calistus on behalf of LCA Chairman and Lae Open Member, Hon. John Rosso MP, Deputy Prime Minister.
Coupled with Minister Richard Maru's objective for a stronger framework for tourism — legally and structurally — PNGTPA has set its goals to work with hubs that are ready to move and develop. Lae is that place.
"Tourism is Everyone's Business" — we will make it ours, step by step.
— Janise Banjoi, MC, signing event
For A Better Lae.
