Cruise passengers visiting the
South Pacific islands can now help
local communities by purchasing
handicrafts pre-approved to pass
Australian quarantine laws in a
new initiative by P&O Cruises.
A special cabinet has been set
up aboard Pacific Dawn containing
items recognised as safe to bring
back to Australia & New Zealand.
Additional cabinets will be
added to Pacific Jewel and Pacific
Pearl from next month.
The initiative is in partnership
with Pacific Horticultural and
Agriculture and Access Programs
(PHAMA) scheme, which works to
help Pacific island communities
by informing about regulatory
hurdles required to export their
wares internationally.
Carnival Australia destination
manager Michael Mihajlov said
the aim of the handicraft cabinets
was part of P&O’s commitment to
improve opportunities for Pacific
island nations.
“The aim is to improve
education about locally produced
handicrafts which are vital
revenue streams for small
producers.
“This is combined with ongoing
efforts to better educate the
producers themselves about
regulations and demand for
their products, while improving
marketing techniques and small
business management skills,”
Mihajlov added.
Pictured above at the first
new item cabinet from left is
Simon Troman, Pacific Dawn
hotel director; Sam Maidment,
destinations manager; Deborah
Bates, Australian Department
of Agriculture; Joanne Beath,
Australian Department of
Environment and Zoe Gaunt,
Pacific Dawn administration and
revenue director.
