Kokoda Track AuthorityA Special Purpose Authority of the Kokoda and Koiari Local Level Governments

Licensed Tour Operator Newsletter | August 2012

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Change

JAN 0 4 7 6 2 4 11 0 15 4 10 150%

FEB 0 0 0 2 5 10 13 0 4 4 10 150%

MAR 0 11 13 33 56 57 123 122 40 16 22 38%

APR 0 152 79 286 723 909 1030 768 350 608 576 -5%

MAY 0 8 53 239 180 254 438 389 204 196 168 -14%

JUN 12 273 293 336 486 659 540 392 215 221 217 -2%

JUL 132 173 266 506 647 961 1368 1017 662 671 770 15%

AUG 128 191 346 469 697 939 802 507 450 356

SEP 16 127 273 353 629 734 765 733 509 354

OCT 29 62 101 902 286 490 412 305 310 339

NOV 22 73 95 53 28 79 83 107 103 128

DEC 26 0 58 1 8 50 36 24 9 17

Total 365 1,074 1,584 2,374 3,747 5,146 5,621 4,364 2,871 2,914 1,773

Numbers on the Track

Kokoda Campaign 70th Anniversary CelebrationsThe Sogeri National High School, in partnership with the Kokoda Track Authority, put on a spectacular Kokoda Campaign 70th Anniversary ‘Singsing’ show on Sunday, 29 July 2012. The school grounds burst with colourful and impressive traditional ‘bilas’ that many – by the end of the day – compared to the Goroka Show.Special guest speakers were Australian High Commissioner His Excellency Ian Kemish and Papuan Infantry Battalion World War Two Veteran Ben Moide.The annual Sogeri Singsing was of special significance this year as it commemorated the 70th Anniversary of the beginning of the World War Two Battle at Kokoda in 29 July 1942. War Veteran Ben Moide was one of the soldiers in the Papuan Infantry Battalion– a local militia made up of colonial settlers and natives – who were the first to fire shots at the approaching Japanese in Awala village and thus ignited the famous Kokoda Track battle.During the ceremony KTA donated six copies of Ben Moide’s biography ‘Nameless Warriors’ to Sogeri National High School and other schools in the Sogeri area.“Seeing our young people today celebrate their culture and remember the sacrfices of their elders is an honourable thing. I commend Sogeri National High School for the the time and effort they’ve put into the event,” said James Enage, KTA CEO.

PO Box 545Boroko NCD 111Papua New Guinea

P (+675) 323 6165F (+675) 323 6020E info@kokodatrackauthority.org

PICTURED RIGHT FROM TOP: (R-L) Ben Moide, HE Ian Kemish, Roxanne Marten and Brian Boon; (Below) Hela and Mekeo dancers were among the 19 cultural performances at the event.

Managing the Track with Trust, Respect and Pridewww.kokodatrackauthority.org

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Isurava Village Commemorations Village events are well underway with plans for commemorations. Ruben Maleva recently updated the KTA team on developments for Isurava taking place on August 26th.The community has set up a committee to spearhead the overall operation of the events, the community opting for a three day commemorative program.“We wanted to ensure that we enjoy and mark the day in a way everyone can take part in” says Ruben Maleva, KTA Chairman.From Friday 24th to Sunday 26th the community will stage a sporting and singsing event and also incorporate a spiritual and historical segment.“We have singsing and sporting events planned but we also want to ensure time is set aside for spiritual reflection through the Church. Our elders have also come together to share their experiences with the younger generation.”“We feel it’s important to pass our stories on to the children so they will know their history and their family stories, in this way we fully appreciate the overall significance of the occasion, and ensure the legacy lives on,” says Ruben.The Isurava community have invited all surrounding communities to join them and also extend an invitation to all trekkers who may be passing through.The commemorative events will mostly take part at the Isurava memorial site and the committee advises that during those days trekkers may like to camp at Isurava Village or Alola overnight but are welcome to join the communities in their celebrations too.A program will be circulated to Tour Operators soon.

Timber Mill Training SuccessThe Livelihoods Timber Mill Project is up and running with the successful completion of training of six recruits three of whom are from Efogi and another three from Kokoda.STIHL, Cannings Outdoor Power Equipment and Hardware Haus Limited recently supported the project by donating the two timber mills and the six chainsaws, as well as free training by experts from their respective organisations.City Pharmacy Limited also added to this by supplying a First Aid kit to each timber mill site.Training took place in Efogi from 10-12th July and was completed by the six attendees with great success.The Environmental Policy is in draft stages and is hoped to be finalised shortly, these guidelines are important in ensuring the project is sustainable and doesn’t have a negative impact on the surrounding Track areas.“Our priority is to ensure the environmental effects are managed by the best possible practises and also a reasonable pricing is set for the Timber Mill usage, once the research is finalised and approved we will then allow operations to begin,” says Hollen Mado, Livelihoods Officer.The Timber Mills are expected to be in operation in the coming month.The Timber Mill project is an important development element that directly addresses the need of the local communities along the Track. While this is an important aspect of development, the management aspect of the project itself is another challenge that will be closely monitored and managed.KTA appeals to local communities to take responsibility and operate within the set operational/environmental guidelines for the Milled Timber Project, if the program is to be sustainable.With this project underway, we hope that local communities will improve their standard of living by building better houses and community buildings for themselves.

70th Anniversary Kokoda Camapaign Key Events

Join KTA and the communities and landowners along the Track as they celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Kokoda. Key dates to look forward to for this year are:

26 AUG | Isurava village based commemoration

7 SEP | Brigade Hill village based commemoration*

13 SEP | Iorabaiwa village based commemoration

2 NOV | FUZZY WUZZY ANGELS DAY (KOKODA)*

26 NOV | FWA COMMUNITY SPORTS DAY

*Celebrated a day earlier from the official date in lieu of Sabbath.

Managing the Track with Trust, Respect and Pridewww.kokodatrackauthority.org

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Guest House AuditThe Guesthouse Certification Program is set to undergo initial auditing in September. This will take approximately 2-3 weeks and will be conducted by an independent Auditor.Guy Chester provided training earlier this year to guesthouse owners along the track. This initial audit is to assess the development since the training.The Auditor will be travelling from Owers’ Corner to Kokoda visiting approximately 90 guesthouses along the way.All guesthouses have been given notice of the initial audit process, to go along with the certification requirement checklists to further assist them build on their business standards.The audit will not only assist to reinforce the standards set in place but also serve as a guide for possible marketing opportunities for the KTA to assist these local businesses.A second audit will take place in March 2013.

Kokoda Track Heritage Interpretation Scoping Study QuestionnaireA questionnaire will be available shortly at the KTA office and accessible via email-link for all KTA licensed tour operators.The questionnaire is part of a survey conducted by Geoscene International of Scenic Spectrums Pty Ltd in Melbourne on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC).All information obtained from the survey goes towards the preparation of a scoping study to recommend options for building awareness of the heritage values in the region.The Kokoda Track holds significant cultural, biodiversity, archaeological, military and international historic values for the people of Papua New Guinea and Australia. The living cultures of the people who live in the area are also of significant value.These different values make the Kokoda Track a unique place of heritage that Kokoda Track stakeholders want to enhance through awareness building, planning and management. KTA encourages all licensed Tour Operators to participate in the survey. For further information please contact:

Dennis WilliamsonTel. +61 3 9803 6344Mob. 0418 331 322Email: geoscene@scenicspectrums.com.auWeb: http://www.scenicspectrums.com.au/

Find us on FacebookCheck out recent updates and photos on our Facebook page. Search “Kokoda Track Authority”.

Trekker Fees IncreaseThe Kokoda Track Authority Management Committee in its 2nd quarter Board Meeting on the 14th of June, 2012 has made a decision to increase the current International trekker Trek Permit Fee by an additional K150 which will come into effect in two instalments - the first of which begins next trekking season. For the first instalment in 2013, KTA will be charging an additional K50 to the K300 Trek Permit Fee, making the Trek Permit Fee K350. This additional K50 will be set aside for the purpose of implementing the Kokoda Track Marketing Strategy, which is currently being developed by the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority and KTA. In 2014, KTA will further increase the Trek Permit Fee by another K100 for the final instalment, which will make the Trek Permit Fee K450. Scaled increases will also be applied to other Trek Permit Fees. Please see the table below. The additional charged fees will be divided between the implementation of the Kokoda Track Marketing Strategy, KTA operations and benefit distribution costs to the communities and landowners along the Kokoda Track. The KTA Management Committee embarked on this option due to the continuous increase in costs of goods and services within the PNG Economy.

KTA Trek Permit Fee Increase2012 2013 2014

International Trekker K300 K350 K450International Trekker - Child K150 K175 K225PNG Trekker K150 K175 K225PNG Trekker - Child K75 K85 K110Day Trip K30 K35 K45

Managing the Track with Trust, Respect and Pridewww.kokodatrackauthority.org

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Tufi Dive Resort Tour Operator DiscountFrom the months of April to September 2012, Tufi Dive Resort in Oro Province is offering all Tour Operators a 20% discount off the Kina rates on bookings for trekking clients.

7th for Free!On top of this special offer, Tufi are also offering Tour Operators the opportunity to book seven trekkers for the price of six. For any groups travelling, for every six trekkers a seventh may book free of charge.Take advantage of this offer and contact Miss Jordan Honey to make your booking at Tufi Resort on phone (675) 323 3462 or fax (675) 323 1303 or visit their website for more details at www.tufidive.com

Transit Accommodation For Porters In POMThis season Ecotourism Melanesia will be offering transit accommodation for porters at their compound in Port Moresby for K50 per porter per night.Any licensed trekking company may take advantage of this service. Facilities may host up to 100 guests at a time.Booking includes sleeping space, bathroom facilities, use of washing machine, breakfast, tea and dinner, first aid if required, cable TV and DVD entertainment.No alcohol is permited on the premises and drunk or unruly behaviour will not be tolerated. The compound gate is locked at 9pm sharp.Ecotourism Melanesia also provide catering for treks. For enquiries and bookings please contact operations manager Mr Glynn Iruru on 7204 6950 or e-mail on: ecomel@online.net.pg

A Million Different Journeys ExpoThe Papua New Guinea Tourism Industry Association (PNGTIA) presents “A Million Different Journeys Expo”.Set for Sunday, 19 August, 8am-4pm at the Gateway Hotel, Port Moresby, the expo promises to showcase products on offer by tourism operators from all over Papua New Guinea.Contact Ms. Rose Maitava on 7669 5419 or e-mail: info@pngtia.com or visit the website for more details at www.pngtia.com

Let us take you on a “Million Different Journeys” discovering our PNG