Govt supports music tourism

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, January 17, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

WITH Port Moresby already taking on a host of musical world class acts over the last few year- the success of the Michael Learns to Rock concert last year and next week’s stadium concert has gained support from the new Minister For Tourism, Arts and Culture Justin Tkatchenko.

Mr Tkatchenko has both hailed and encouraged the participation of the private sector in hosting world class acts in the various sporting complexes built for the 2015 Pacific Games.

The minister stated that under the care of the National Sports Foundation, through the National Sports Trust Limited- the facilities were open to various activities that will enable the venues to be maintained.

“We encourage the private sector to put their hands up and say we want to bring UB40 to Papua New Guinea for our people to enjoy, or we want to bring John Farnham and U2 or whoever they are to the country.”

“The facilities are there to be utilized, under the guidance and leadership of our CEO (PNG Sports Foundation) they have got their own marketing team and events team set up and ready to make sure that these facilities are offered to everybody.”

“Whether it is a concert, a religious rally, an exhibition promoting different products, or of course a big sporting event or convention. The doors are open for people to utilize these facilities.”

“With Lamana bringing UB40 and having a massive concert at the Sir John Guise Stadium. That is the sort of thing we want to see.”

He said the country is ready for it, and it is only for the private sector to come on board and support what the government is doing and utilize the facilities and promote them in a big way.

I am happy the private sector is utilizing our facilities which will benefit us in terms of entertainment and arts and many other things for our people. So it is a win-win situation.