Totally Morobe, Totally Unique !

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The idea or slogan “Totally Morobe, Totally Unique” has become a catch cry in Lae and the Province of Morobe.

It was developed during the inception of the Morobe Tourism Bureau when it began production of promotional materials, which included the 1999, and 2000 calendar of events, MTB information leaflet, t - shirts and the “Totally Morobe” brochure.

Morobe Province is definitely a very unique province with its diversity in vegetation, flora and fauna, landscape, topography (from coastal to the islands, mountains, valleys, swamps, lakes and river systems, etc).

This complements its diversity in cultures, traditions, history and archaeological background, wildlife, fishing, diving, snorkeling, and village life.

Morobe has it all that makes it a “Totally Morobe, Totally Unique” experience for any traveler or visitor to the Province.

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Morobe Province has, for many years, been somewhat of a “Cinderella” region of PNG in respect of tourism promotion.

Its capital city, Lae, was known more for being the gateway to the Highlands region and the industrial centre of the country rather than a tourist attraction.

But things have changed: It now seems that the city and the province has been hiding its potential tourism light under a bush.

In fact, there are many more attractions than immediately, obvious.

They just need to be highlighted and promoted.

The MTB created through the Morobe Tourist Bureau Act in 1997.

The purpose of the Act for establishing the Bureau is to promote and develop tourism in the Morobe Province for the purpose of encouraging income generation in rural and urban areas and to encourage local participation in the tourism industry.

The MTB is a Morobe Provincial Government project established under the Commerce & Industry Division.

The Bureau is, therefore, funded by the Morobe Provincial Government with requirements of annual grants.

It began operations in December 1998 with a part-time Tourism Development Manager and a Visitor Information Officer.

A Tourism Development Field Officer was later recruited in 1999.

A spanish tourist at the Morobe Show :

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The functions of the Bureau include:

• Promotion and Destination marketing;
• Facilitation of product development;
• Policy Formulation;
• Industry Liaison;
• Promoting and Encouraging the Development of Tourism Industry;
• Education and Training;
• Co-ordination of Resource Management; and
• Research and Monitoring.

Fresh Vegetables are in abundance in the Morobe District :

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It keeps a regular visitors book on people visiting the Bureau Office to gauge people’s reaction to tourism.

“We also keep a file of clients seeking information or advice on establishment of tourism - related projects such as guesthouses, culture centers, traditional singsing groups,” said visitor information officer Roseta Genora. .

“The general idea of tourism is there and people are interested and keen in venturing into the industry.

Sing Sing Group at the Morobe Show held on the 18 & 19th October this year:

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“However, a lot of tourism awareness and education on the industry itself and the long-term benefits to the community, needs to be addressed more specifically among the resource owners of tourism products in the local community where a positive image of the province and country can be portrayed.”

Currently, the two main tour operators in the Province are Morobe Tours and Niugini Bus Lines.

Both operators run local half day to full day tours around Lae City and its environs.

Niugini Bus Lines also offers full day tours to Markham Valley and are looking to extend their tours to other areas of the Province.

Markham River, Morobe Province :

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The business sector and Morobe Provincial Government have both been very supportive of the Bureau.

“The business sector has been supportive over the years with sponsorships in two of MTB’ s promotional materials: the 1999 and 2000 Calendar of Events,” Ms Genora said.

“The Morobe Provincial Government gave some funds to the Bureau last year and prominent member for Lae, Honorable Bart Philemon, gave donations for the production of the “Totally Morobe” brochure.

“However, the Bureau still requires more support and financial assistance from the Morobe Provincial Government as well as business houses in order to function more effectively.

“The National Government, through The Tourism Promotion Authority, may assist with more promotion of Morobe Tourism Bureau’s roles and responsibilities and actively promote the tourism sites and attractions within the Province.”

The business sector and Morobe Provincial Government have both been very supportive of the Bureau.

“The business sector has been supportive over the years with sponsorships in two of MTB’ s promotional materials: the 1999 and 2000 Calendar of Events,” Ms Genora said.

“The Morobe Provincial Government gave some funds to the Bureau last year and prominent member for Lae, Honorable Bart Philemon, gave donations for the production of the “Totally Morobe” brochure.

“However, the Bureau still requires more support and financial assistance from the Morobe Provincial Government as well as business houses in order to function more effectively.

“The National Government, through The Tourism Promotion Authority, may assist with more promotion of Morobe Tourism Bureau’s roles and responsibilities and actively promote the tourism sites and attractions within the Province.”

Markham Valley master potter Bobby Izuk working on a turtle figurine :

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The current staff ceiling for the Morobe Tourism Bureau includes a part-time Tourism Development Manager, a full - time Visitor Information Officer and Office Assistant, and a newly recruited Project Field Officer who run the day-to-day affairs of the Bureau.

The Management Information Unit of the Morobe Provincial Government conducted an International Visitor Survey Report during March this year for MTB and the Division of Commerce with the assistance of students from the Tourism & Hospitality Department of Lae Technical College.

Lae Technical College :

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The survey was conducted by personal interview (face to face) with respondents.

The interview was guided by a questionnaire form and was carried out mostly at Nadzab Airport while some questionnaires were left at the hotels, motels and guesthouses in the city.

According to the Visitor Survey conducted, general comments and opinions made about the Province in terms of tourism development include:

• Morobe Province has the potential of being a tourism destination with the support of the Morobe Provincial Government, NGOs, and private sector all assisting MTB in its efforts to promote tourism in the Province and implement the Government’s policies and strategies on tourism development in the Province;
• More promotion and advertising campaigns on the operations of MTB in the Province and potential tourism attractions available in the province through mass media;
• The need to distribute additional information to hotels, airports, on MTB and its activities;
• More interesting and adventure sites to be identified, developed, and marketed; and
• Promote MTB through international airlines network.

Erap-Road,-Morobe-Province :

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Other comments included the current law and order situation, need for improvements in infrastructure services in the Province, Nadzab Airport being too far from the city, prices of services (hotel rooms, airlines, etc) being expensive, the need for MPG to support MTB to develop other parts of the province, and improving and maintaining roads leading to the city.

Most major events of the 2002 calendar of events are over, however, the seasonal leatherback turtles watch is from November to March every year.

Further information can be obtained from the MTB on telephone (675) 4727823, facsimile (675) 4726038, e-mail lcci@global.net.pg or visit their website www.tourismmorobe.org.pg.

Rainforest Habitat in Lae :