Situated along the banks of the Kikori River, the newly opened Kikori Heritage Hotel introduces Kikori to tourism, business and leisure travelers.
Officially opened by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape on Friday 11 September, the development by the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) represents a significant investment in tourism infrastructure and positions Gulf Province as an emerging destination for travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences, untouched wilderness and distinctly Papua New Guinean hospitality.
The 60-room, full-service hotel is the first of four Heritage Hotels planned under MRDC’s diversification strategy, with future developments earmarked for Kutubu in Southern Highlands, Kerema Town and Tari in the Hela Province.
The hotel is owned by MRDC and its subsidiaries Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK), Petroleum Resources Moran (PRM) Petroleum Resources Gobe (PRG), Gas Resources Pipeline, together with the Gulf Provincial Government.
Opening the facility, Prime Minister Marape described the hotel as an example of how strategic infrastructure investment can unlock economic opportunities in rural Papua New Guinea.
“Connect PNG is a nation-building initiative to create economic corridors, connect rural communities to markets, and stimulate investment in areas that have historically been difficult to access. Today, we are seeing that vision become reality in Kikori, with road infrastructure under Connect PNG creating the confidence for investments such as this hotel.
“I congratulate MRDC’s Board, it’s management and shareholder landowners for looking beyond the traditional resource sector and investing in tourism. I look forward to seeing further investments emerge, creating businesses, attracting visitors and ensuring that economic growth reaches our rural communities,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Belden Namah said the opening reflects Papua New Guinea’s growing tourism sector.
“For many years, Kikori has been recognised for its contribution to the country’s resource industry. Today, it is also being recognised as a destination. This hotel allows Kikori to tell its own story through its rivers, culture, hospitality and people, offering visitors an experience found nowhere else in the world,” Minister Namah said.
MRDC Managing Director Augustine Mano said the project reflects the company’s commitment to investing resource benefits in sectors capable of delivering long-term value for remote communities.
“As custodian of our landowners’ wealth, MRDC has a responsibility to invest in industries that create lasting opportunities for future generations. A first step was necessary, and MRDC has taken that step, in the hope that others will follow.
“Our long-term vision extends beyond hospitality. We will continue exploring investments in enabling infrastructure, including water, power and related developments that support economic growth and create the conditions for further investment in our project impacted provinces,” Mr Mano said.
He added that MRDC’s growing tourism and hospitality portfolio reflects a deliberate strategy to create enduring economic opportunities independent of the resource cycle, while strengthening regional development and community participation.
The official opening was attended by 19 Members of Parliament, along with leaders from the extractive industries, finance and business sectors, directors of the MRDC subsidiaries that own the hotel, and dignitaries from Gulf and Southern Highlands Provinces.
The hotel is already delivering local benefits, having created employment across hospitality, administration, maintenance, security, transport, catering and supply chain services, while local businesses and SMEs benefit through procurement and service contracts linked to its operations.