The KTA Trek Operators Forum 2023, is underway at the at Rydges Brisbane.

This important workshop is providing a forum to discuss the challenges and successes of the 2023 trekking season. The tour operators have the opprutnity to provide valuable insights into the impact of government policy and community relationships with their clients and their business, providing insights for the PNG government as policies and programs are developed to grow tourism participation in the region.

The forum is being attended by Hon. John Kali, CMG OBE. PNG High Commissioner to Australia, Hon. Gary Juffa, Governor of Northern Province, Ms. Alia Norris, Second Secretary, DFAT, Mr. Eric Mossman, CEO TPA and Julius Wargirai, Acting KTA CEO. Also in attendance are represenatives from the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) and the Kokoda Iniative (KI).

The meeting is well attended from both PNG and Australian trek operators. Pictured above are members of the Kokoda Trek Operators Association (KTOA) along with individual Australian and PNG operators with the CEO of PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA)-Mr. Eric Mossman (centre).

Despite the missinformation of one unlicensed operator- Adventure Kokoda, the forum has generated some great discussions and is helping to address some of the big issues such as track maintenance, the ongoing blockade at Kovello, the future structure of the KTA, and the payments of trek permit fees to the communites in 2024.

The meeting is well attended from both PNG and Australian trek operators. Pictured above are members of the Kokoda Trek Operators Association (KTOA) along with individual Australian and PNG operators with the CEO of PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA)-Mr. Eric Mossman (centre).

Despite the misinformation of one unlicensed operator- Adventure Kokoda, the forum has generated some great discussions and is helping to address some of the big issues such as track maintenance, the ongoing blockade at Kovello, the future structure of the KTA, and the payments of trek permit fees to the communities in 2024. A full update will be published on the Kokoda Historical blog following the conclusion of the meeting.