http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/ Research Commons at the University of Waikato Copyright Statement: The digital copy of this thesis is protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). The thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person. Authors control the copyright of their thesis. You will recognise the author’s right to be identified as the author of the thesis, and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate. You will obtain the author’s permission before publishing any material from the thesis. The role of tourism promoting community participation in the development of Jiwaka Province in Papua New Guinea. A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Management Studies at The University of Waikato By Theresia Wome Kau 2014 Abstract This master’s thesis explored whether or not tourism can facilitate community development in the Jiwaka Province in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The people of Jiwaka Province, a newly created province, could benefit from tourism if a national tourism policy is implemented at the provincial level. The literature review examined the role of tourism development in less developed countries, indigenous tourism development, tourism policy, indigenous tourism, tourism advocacy and community development. Action research was used to identify the role of tourism in development of the new province to identify the role, if any, that community participation can have in tourism development. It identified the extent of tourism demand for the Jiwaka Province, some obstacles to tourism development in the province, and how people and smaller communities can become involved in tourism development in Jiwaka Province. The research process led to tourism advocacy, where the researcher helped to educate local people in awareness of the potential they possess and the opportunities available for their community to participate in and to promote development through tourism. The qualitative techniques adopted as part of action research to collect data were interviews and participatory observation. Individual and focus group interviews were used, involving 271 participants, including tourism policy officials in Port Moresby, political leaders of Jiwaka Province, Local leaders and community representatives. The results indicate that the top down approach of the current tourism policy is not effective for tourism development and does not facilitate community participation at the grass roots level. Most local people in Jiwaka Province are very ignorant of the potential and benefits of tourism. There is potential for tourism development, but there are obstacles at all levels of government. Currently, development for all sectors of Jiwaka Province is at an embryonic stage. Therefore, growth in tourism and the Jiwaka community can become a reality over time alongside infrastructural development and other economic advancements. The key issues preventing community participation in tourism are corruption in the government, limited government funding, security and law and order problems, and issues related to tourism marketing and policy implementation at the national, ii provincial and district levels. Other issues involve funding from the office of the governor in Jiwaka, delays in establishing the provincial government apparatus in the province due to inefficient government human resource processes in Port Moresby, no tourism office space in the province, infrastructural development, and ignorance of tourism. The thesis concluded that community tourism development is the only way for tourism development in Jiwaka because of customary land ownership; a bottom-up approach will deliver more benefits to the community than the current top down approach; a government policy/funding vacuum to support community development leading the communities to turn to corporate and NGO support is deeded, as is the need for tourism advocacy. Recommendations are made to the Jiwaka Provincial Government to prioritise tourism, as a key development agent for communities in Jiwaka Province, using a bottom-up approach, which empowers local people and encourages community participation. iii Acknowledgements I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the people who were helpful and engaged their assistance, kindness and time to my studies and master’s thesis. Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor; Associate Professor Anne Zahra, for her challenges, assistance and prayers to lead me in achieving this. I have learnt a lot in the process. My heartfelt appreciation goes to Betty-Ann Kamp for the maps and sisterly support, Heather Morrell for referencing and academic advice, and Dr. Charly Muke for mentoring. Secondly, I express my sincere gratitude to all the people who have supported me through thick and thin, deaths, surgeries, and the many challenges I faced while in Waikato: Fr. Andrew Paris and Reverend Sue Barns for counselling and spiritual guidance; Jeannette Burnshaw for clinical support; International student officers, Caitriona Gyde and Deonne Taylor for your constant support. Thanks to my family in Hamilton; Christina Kewa-Swarbrick and Anita Sundrram for everything. Thirdly, my heartfelt gratitude goes to the governor and Jiwaka Provincial Government (JPG) for funding this project, and the research participants who played a big role. I acknowledge all my relatives (Ketengan Monges) around Jiwaka Province who supported me in the entire research period. My big appreciation goes to all the good people who have taken care of my angels in my absence. Thank you to all those who kept the fire burning at Goltralgie; Aldo, Nori, my sisters, John Wan, Bad Boy, Kas Manga, Aunty Agnes, the extended family and the Kandapai people. I sadly acknowledge my late sister, Susan Kewa, late sons John Emi and Joseph Olua, and late father, Paul Kau. You all were there to start my journey, but I completed without you. Finally, I would like to express my apologies for my absence as a mother to my children. You are strong children; Christopher, Jayson, Joanna, Mathew, Ezekiel and Raelynn. I salute you for bearing with me despite all odds and I love you all. We went through the challenges together and my success is your success. To God be the Glory!! iv Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................... iv Table of Contents .................................................................................................. v List of Figures ..................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ......................................................................................................... x List of Acronyms .................................................................................................. xi Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Rationale ........................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Structure of the thesis .................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2: Context ................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Significance of the problem .......................................................................... 5 2.2 Jiwaka Province ............................................................................................. 5 2.2.1 Social and geographical structure ........................................................... 7 2.3 Papua New Guinea ...................................................................................... 11 2.3.1 The political structure of Papua New Guinea ....................................... 11 2.3.2 Tourism in Papua New Guinea ............................................................. 14 2.3.2.1. Tourism products, amenities and facilities................................... 17 2.3.3 Hospitality and accommodation facilities ............................................ 22 2.3.3.1 Transportation ............................................................................... 24 2.4 Tourism in Pacific region ............................................................................ 26 2.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 3: Literature Review ............................................................................ 30 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 30 3.2 Tourism development in less developed countries and rural areas ............. 30 3.3 Tourism policy in less developed countries ................................................ 37 3.4 Indigenous tourism ...................................................................................... 44 3.5 Tourism advocacy ......................................................................................