10.11.2013 Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
New Bougainville tourism website being launched
Movie goers keen to check out for themselves the stunning scenery that features in the film Mr Pip will soon have a new resource to help them plan a trip to Bougainville. Bougainville’s new tourism website will be available online from November 11 atwww.bougainville.travel The site is the official tourism hub for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and features the many unique tourism products, such as tours, experiences and accommodation, that Bougainville has to offer the adventurous traveller. Bougainville.travel is a joint project initiated by the Tourism Office of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the Central Bougainville Tourism Association, and New Zealand organisation, Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA). VSA volunteer Tom Brosnan says the need for a new and improved Bougainville.travel website was recognised when the old Bougainville tourism website became outdated, and updates were not possible. A workshop was then help in Arawa, Central Bougainville, earlier this year to involve local stakeholders in planning the new website. “The workshop helped identify the types of tourism activities currently available in Bougainville, the potential markets for them, and the importance of having an online presence to promote tourism.” Mr Brosan says Bougainville.travel is a vast improvement on the previous website. It uses a simple content management system, which means non-technical users will be able to easily update and modify the content, and add new content. He says Bougainville has massive potential as a tourism destination and the website will be a good tool for harnessing that – particularly following the recent international release of the movie Mr Pip, which was shot in Pidia village and stars Bougainville teenager Xzannjah Matsi in one of the lead roles. “Bougainville looks stunning in the movie. It’s a beautiful and rugged island with huge potential for tourism, and people who’re keen to find out more will be able to check out Bougainville.travel to plan a trip here.” | 
