Inter-tribal fighting ruining tourism in PNG province

Papua New Guinea – Tribal conflict in the Papua New Guina provinicia. town of Madang town is destroying the tourism industry in the Madang Province.

PNG’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tobias Kulang is calling for peace and order in the area, stating that tourist numbers to the once “beautiful Madang” have decreased alarmingly mainly due to the law and order issues.

Kulang is calling on all the stakeholders of Madang Province to come together and work for peace and for the betterment of the people and Province.

He says Provincial Government, police, business houses and political leaders in Madang Province must work in tandem and harmony to achieve the tourism priorities.

The latest confrontation involved youths from one regional ethnic group who have set up illegal roadblocks around the town in fear of being attacked by an opposing group.

“The current situation is disturbing the peace and tranquillity of Madang Province as a prime tourist destination in Papua New Guinea.

“We cannot afford to sit back and watch our province crumble in the face of law and order problems. Madang Province thrives on tourism and this industry must be protected at all times,” the minister said.

Kulang said he will make a concerted effort to restore unity, peace and normalcy in the province and town, once considered the tourism hotspot in Papua New Guinea.

The Minister believes that the law and order problem is a serious issue for the Madang people and city dwellers to sort out and the province must find its feet once all the different and differing conflicting parties and ethnic groups come together for the purpose of peace, progress and prosperity.

- Post-Courier