THE East New Britain Tourism Authority chief, Kania Tubal, has issued a public apology following the unfortunate incident during the visit of the Pacific Encounter cruise ship to Rabaul on October 21, 2024, where a Australian woman tourist was attacked at Page Park market. Mr Tubal described the incident as ‘unacceptable’ and a stark contradiction to the values of hospitality upheld by the province. In a statement released by his office last week, he expressed the East New Britain community’s sincere regret, emphasising that such actions do not represent the province’s welcoming spirit.
“We recognise the emotional toll and distress caused to the passengers and crew of the Pacific Encounter, particularly those tourists who were affected by this incident, especially for families who travelled from Australia to experience the unique offerings of our province,” said Mr Tubal. He also extended apologies to the governments of Papua New Guinea and the people of Australia and its government, as well as Carnival Australia, the cruise line operator. “Our region has long been a favoured destination and it is our utmost desire to restore any lost trust and confidence in our ability to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit”, he said.
He condemned the behaviour of those involved and vowed to hold them accountable. “We have zero tolerance for such actions. “The actions of those involved in this incident does not reflect the values of the broader East New Britain community.
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