DIRECTOR for tourism within the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) says cruise ships berthing on customary land the landing must be paid directly to landowners and not the shipping agents or provincial government.
Barney Sivoro highlighted this during the council of tourism minister meeting last week.
This was in response to a question raised by the Isabel Provincial Tourism Minister Danstan Woele during last week’s council of tourism ministers meeting.
Mr Woele said, this has been a long outstanding issue in the province as to who will receive the landing fee for berthing at customary land.
“Its an issue in the province regarding the cruise ships landing fee on customary land in the province as to who is going to receive the landing fee, the province, shipping agents or landowners?
“I’m seeking clarification on this because we have many cruise ships coming to Isabel and the issue of landing fee had been raised therefore I need an explanation from the ministry responsible, ’Mr Woele asked.
In response Mr Sivoro said, any landing fee on the customary land should be paid directly to the landowners.
“Because it’s a customary land the landowners have the right to get the money and not shipping agents or provincial gov’t,” Mr Sivoro said.
Mr Woele who thanked the tourism director for the clarification said, he would return and explain this during their executive meeting and also to the landowners.
By DENVER NEWTER
