16 May 05 - Call for expression of interest in the development of a tourist resort at Nago Island, Kavieng, New Ireland Province

Nago Island is situated in Nusa Harbour, approximately 2km from Kavieng township. The island is one of outstanding natural beauty with mature tress, white sandy beaches, accessible clean swimming areas and other attractive features. The PNG National Fisheries Authority (NFA) holds title over a 5.85 ha parcel of land comprising the southern half of Nago Island. NFA intends to establish a small fisheries and aquaculture research station on the island which will serve as a base for fishery surveys and studies by local and overseas researches. Over the longer term it is expected that the research station will expand to carry out aquaculture of coastal marine species, and related activities. NFA is interested in promoting the development of a tourism operation on the island alongside the research and aquaculture facility. NFA is of the view that a tourism operation could assist the Authority by providing accommodation, power, water, transport and other services to the research station. Conversely, the research station could serve as an added attraction for tourists with an interest in marine life and conservation. There is an opportunity to maximize benefits in both directions by designing and developing the research station and the tourism operation in parallel. The Authority is therefore seeking proposals from persons or companies interested in developing a tourist operation on Nago Island. In assessing proposals, NFA will take into account the following:

• Background of successful operation in the tourism sector in PNG or overseas;
• Evidence of financial resources to develop and operate the proposed facility;
• Well articulated and researched business plan;
• Expected benefits to NFA from the tourism operation;
• Cost-effectiveness of arrangements for the supply of utilities;
• Type, quality and price of accommodation available for use by researches;
• Income-earning opportunities available to the island’s traditional landowners;
• Proposed arrangements for the security of the site and the people using it;
• Attractiveness, quality and appropriateness of buildings, infrastructure and landscaping;
• Environmental sensitivity of the proposed development, and its consitency with NFA’s goals of sustainable and responsible marine resource use;

An information paper on the proposal evaluation process can be obtained from the NFA Fisheries Management Advisor in Port Moresby (tel:309-0444), or from the Principle of the National Fisheries College in Kavieng (tel:984-2049). Interested parties are encouraged to obtain details of the evaluation scheme, to ensure that their proposals addresses all the issues of concern to NFA. The Authroity can help interested parties arrange site visits to Nago Island, but will not contribute to the costs of such visits.

Proposals should be marked as Expression of Interest: Nago Island with 3 copies submitted to the Managing Director, National Fisheries Authority. P O Box 2016, Port Moresby, NCD. For further details contact Mr. Peter Cusack on fax number 320 2061, Deputy leader, NFA Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Project; or Mr. Joel Opnai fax number 984 2343, Resource management Specialist.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is close of business on 16th June 2005.