By MIRIAM MALAWA
LUCY Anicah Devlin’s business journey is not solely profit-driven. She foresees her enterprise as a means of empowering her community by enhancing their skills and optimising limited resources.
Lucy, 48, from Ninigo Islands, Manus, owns Tagon Solian Travel Adventures. Her business specialises in unlocking the potential of tourism to achieve these objectives.
Lucy said Papua New Guinea has vast tourism potential but acknowledged the need for authorities to assist in training and upskilling local communities for the effective harnessing of that potential.
To bridge this gap, Lucy allocates limited resources from Tagon Solian Travel Adventures to provide essential training that uplifts the community, offering opportunities to monetise their resources and enhance their livelihoods.
The training has been extended to the Western Group of Islands in Manus Province, known for its pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes, which have drawn the attention of tourist boats. Lucy aims to make a positive impact on the community in this area.
She seizes the opportunity to remind the locals on these islands of their potential not only to welcome tourists into their community but also to generate income.
“We are training them to change their perspective, to recognise the value of the services they provide to tourists,” Lucy said.
“For instance, when tourists come to the island, they often request demonstrations on traditional skills like canoe-making.
“This, in itself, presents a money-making opportunity, which they might not have realised.
“My team and I are working to redirect the locals’ focus and help them understand that not everything can be offered for free; there should be a price to it.
“This way, we can generate income for our communities and fulfill the government’s vision of using tourism to stimulate the economy.”
Lucy highlights the collaboration with counterparts from Fiji and esteemed family representatives, including Steven Tabuhakia and his partner Seruwaia Ucece.
From left: Lucy Anicah Devlin, John Miller, Steven Tabuhakia and Keiko Miller. – Pictures supplied
They offered valuable insights on tourism experiences in Fiji to help maximise income potential in the isolated Manus islands.
Lucy thanked Pro-Dive PNG, a dive shop in Port Moresby run by John Miller and his team, for their support. Participants in Tagon Solian Travel Adventures’ Scuba Dive Programme completed their one-week Open Water Dive Course with their assistance.
The company plans to further upskill selected divers in courses such as the Tour Guide Course, Marine Resource Management Course, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology course from New925 Academy. With these courses, Lucy believes that tourism will flourish in the Western group of islands in Manus.
However, Lucy urged authorities to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes stricter regulations, increased monitoring, and enhanced cooperation between relevant agencies.
She said Tagon Solian Travel Adventures aims to collaborate with these authorities to increase the presence of maritime authorities to monitor tourist boat activities in the Western group of islands; conduct regular spot checks and inspections to verify documentation and ensure safety compliance; collaborate with local communities and stakeholders to report any suspicious or illegal activities; educate tourists about the importance of patronising licensed and regulated tourist boats; encourage tourists to report instances of non-compliance or unsafe practices; raise awareness about the environmental impact of irresponsible tourist boat operations, including improper waste disposal, dumping waste directly into the ocean, and irresponsible disposal of hazardous materials; mitigate damage to marine ecosystems by addressing issues such as anchoring in sensitive areas and disturbing coral reefs and marine habitats.
Lucy outlined the significant risks posed by the presence of tourist boats in the western group of islands without proper documentation, both in terms of safety and environmental concerns.
She stressed the importance of immediate action and collaboration with relevant authorities to strengthen regulations, enhance monitoring efforts, and promote public awareness.
“These collective actions are essential to ensuring a safe and sustainable tourism experience for both visitors and the natural beauty of the Western Group of Islands,” she said.
