Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 28 June 2012:

With reference to the Kokoda Trail, has any market research been conducted to determine: (a) why people want to trek across the Trail, including whether they were motivated by history, the physical challenge, the local culture or the environment; (b) what was thought of the experience; (c) suggestions to improve the experience, such as whether people would prefer the Trail in its natural or in an improved condition; and (d) interest in visiting other destinations in Papua New Guinea as a result of the experience.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(a)   Yes. Market research was funded by the Australian Government under the Kokoda Initiative to assist in the development of a Regional Tourism Strategy. The main reasons people wanted to trek were physical challenge and the wartime history.

(b)   The final report from the market research summarises the experience as follows: “Whatever the initial motivation to trek Kokoda, the overwhelming outcome is a sense of achievement and fulfilment at completing the trek plus a heightened awareness of the importance and relevance of what the Australian soldiers endured in WW2. While the physical challenge gives bragging rights, it is the emotional challenge that is less expected, more confronting and certainly is reported as the life changing factor.” (Report ‘Trekking the Kokoda Track – A Summary of Findings’ prepared by Bentley, A. & Wadsworth, C. for the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, March 2011).

(c)   No.

(d)   Yes. The market research funded by the Australian Government showed that Kokoda is chosen as a destination in its own right, not as part of a broader Papua New Guinean visit.