Kokoda trekking positive ahead of big season

The Kokoda trekking season has been launched with high expectations for the 2011 season.

Major tour operators are reporting strong forward bookings particularly for ANZAC Day and the months of May and June.

Australian wholesaler, Gap Adventures has recently recognised the potential and added Kokoda to their product offering.

Vera Huntink, sales and marketing manager for Papua New Guinea Tourism and Promotion Authority in Australia and New Zealand says that visitation numbers has been buoyed by the improving operations along the track and increasing positive word of mouth.

“Over the last two years significant work has gone into raising standards along the track, encouraging community engagement and giving back to communities. This has improved trekker safety and experiences along the track,” she said.

“Research shows that word of mouth has the biggest impact on trekker numbers, so when trekkers are having good experiences and the news is positive, this translates directly to increased bookings.”

Major improvements along the track have been undertaken by the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) which has been supported since 2008 by a joint initiative between the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments to protect the Kokoda Track and surrounding region.

The KTA ensures that all tour operators along Kokoda obtain a licence and all trekkers pay trekking fees.

A voluntary code of conduct has been agreed by operators and a new licensing system set up in 2010 helps to ensure professional standards are met.

In the past two years the KTA has delivered more than $185,000 in cash and supplies to the Kokoda Track Communities as a direct dividend of the collection of trekking fees.

The KTA has also made investments into improving the information available to trekkers preparing for the track.

Last year the KTA launched a website to provide an objective and factual resource with reliable and up to date information for trekkers, potential trekkers and their families.

A pre –departure safety kit funded through the PNG and Australian Government’s Kokoda Track Safety Package is also expected to be released this year.

“Improvements to the Kokoda Track are certainly translating to growing numbers along the track but we are also focused on raising awareness about the other niche segments including world-class diving, surfing, bird watching and fascinating cultural experiences,” Huntink said.

Major Australian wholesalers are also recognising the potential of Papua New Guinea’s diverse product, with Adventure World and Coral Seas now packaging cultural tours to PNG’s highlands and Madang and Wild Earth Expeditions covering Mount Hagen, Sepik River and Kimbe Bay.

Access to the country is also greatly improved with Qantas Link introducing flights to Papua New Guinea late last year which provides better same day connection times from Port Moresby to popular tourism sites throughout the country.