Hon. Isi Leonard is New Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture

Hon. Isi Henry Leonard is New Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture 

Hon. Isi Henry Leonard MP is the new Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture replacing Hon. Walter Schnaubelt MP in a recent cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister James Marape MP.

In a brief hand-over-take-over ceremony at the Tourism Promotion Authority office in Port Moresby, December 2020, Minister Leonard assured his predecessor that he would carry on some of the major activities left by the former Minister including completing the review and enactment of the TPA Act and adaptation of the National Tourism Plan.

Minister Leonard also echoed his desire to promote domestic tourism given the current global pandemic caused by the Corona Virus which has literally destroyed world travel and tourism.

He said the government would like to see greater tourism benefits going directly to the local people in rural communities of our beautiful country Papua New Guinea.

He also stressed the need for the three agencies under his Ministry namely Tourism Promotion Authority, National Cultural Commission and National Museum and Arts Gallery to work in collaboration to drive tourism growth and development in the country.

Former Minister Schnaubelt assured the Minister that he has set the foundation for corporation among the three agencies especially in the area of identifying and promoting cultural festivals as well as developing historical sites for tourism.

The event was witnessed by the three agency heads including TPA CEO Mr Eric Mossman Uvovo, NCC Executive Director Mr Steven Kilanda and NMAG Director Dr Andrew Moutu and TPA Board Chairman Hon. Kennedy Wenge MP.

^{Above: The new Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Isi Leonard, MP, shaking hands with Hon. Kennedy Wenge, MP – Chairman of Culture and Tourism Parliamentary Committee, and outgoing Tourism Minister Hon. Walter Schnaubelt.}

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