BUILDING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN PAPUA, INDONESIA

Feb 2013 meeting with rebel commander & top lieutenants

Sustainable Tourism

• Models

• Challenges

• RMI’s Connection

• Opportunities

A Model for Sustainable Tourism

From: Amy Meredith Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2014 7:00 AMTo: Alex Van Steen Fwd: Stranded Climbers on Carstensz?

PTFI has rescued hundreds of climbers, and not once recouped their costs. … While one can argue that based on humanitarian need, they should intervene, the fact is it is incumbent upon the climbers to make certain they know how hard the jungle can be, know there really is a contingency plan, know the political lay of the land, and there is relationship as they transit....AND don't expect a free hand out should the proverbial ka ka hit the fan.

A pastor in Kobae gifts me his pig’s tooth

necklace as thanks for visiting the remote

villages in the Zombandoga valley.

Papuan tribesman prepare for a tribal war between two villages in Timika, Papua , Jan. 6, 2010.

Ch

allenges

Witch burning June 2013Highlands tribal warfare, J Cutts photo

Sawi head hunting circa 1962 John Cutts speaks with Dani warriors

RMI’s Connection

Befriending a child in Hitadipa at the home built by Bill Cutts

Who are the Moni?

Cutts’ home in Hitadipa, Papua

Photos circa mid-1960s

Opportunities

“Giving relationship”

Community officials & leaders

Being introduced to dignitaries of the Legislative Assembly of Mimika Regency.

Schools, teachers, coaches, churches & pastors

Sugapa Route Visitor Protocols

This church serves an important role in the Gamagae community. Guests are welcomed to find refuge here and are asked respect the following requests. This will help ensure use of the building for future travelers.

Please stay off of the raised area which surrounds the altar. This area is for local religious personnel only and it is considered offensive if others trespass there.

Please keep hot water, stoves & cookware out of the building. This helps keep the area clean.

Please hang a trash bag just outside the building to collect your garbage. Villagers will burn your trash for you.

Because of the importance of Sunday worship, travelers should not expect access to the building on Saturday evenings or Sundays.

Please offer a donation for your use of the church. This is an appropriate and considerate way of expressing thanks.

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Meeting with an OPM commander

Porter, camp & cook training

Seminar Topics•How to stay healthy on the trek

•Staying safe & warm in the moorlands & mountains•Sanitation for cooking & cleaning

•How to establish comfortable campsites•Practiced setting up tents

•How to build latrines / dispose of waste•Distributed certificates of completion

What does a visit to Papua look like when a model of relationship building is effectively implemented?

“Giving relationship” = Access in Papua

Happy Travels!