FORMER Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution in America, Dr Brent Glass, made a special visit to the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) on Tuesday, September 17, and discussed the importance of promoting historical literacy and public memory in PNG.
Dr Glass was accompanied by the American Embassy’s acting public affairs officer Claudia Borevina and public engagement assistant Mathias Posu.
Dr Glass, a prominent figure in the global museum and history community, has more than 35 years of experience in government service. He announced his retirement as Director of the National Museum of American History, but still remains a senior adviser to the Smithsonian.
During his visit, Dr Glass highlighted the significance of PNG’s war history as a powerful attraction for international tourists.
“Papua New Guinea’s war history is compelling and holds global interest, particularly in the context of World War II.
“Developing historical sites that are accessible to tourists will not only preserve this history but also create opportunities for international travellers to engage deeply with it.
“PNG has the potential to become a key destination for historical tourism,” said Dr Glass.
He emphasised the need for the PNG government and TPA to consider their historical aspect as a major attraction for international tourists.
“Now, after more than 35 years in government service, I am excited to explore opportunities to promote history education, historical literacy, and public memory on a global scale, and PNG is one of those destinations,” he said.
During his tenure, Dr Glass oversaw significant transformations at the Smithsonian, including the creation of new exhibitions, the acquisition of key collections, and the development of online education initiatives.
Under his leadership, the National Museum of American History became a national treasure, enjoying record attendance and widespread public engagement.
TPA chief executive officer Eric Uvovo welcomed Dr Glass and the team from the American Embassy and expressed his gratitude for their valuable insights and support in promoting historical awareness in PNG.
“We are deeply thankful to Dr Glass for sharing his expertise with us. His knowledge of promoting history and public memory is invaluable as we continue to develop our own tourism sector.
“Papua New Guinea’s war history is unique, particularly the Kokoda Track and other significant WWII sites, which are major selling points for us on the global stage. Our museums and war memorials hold a rich history that tourists from around the world are eager to discover,” said Mr Uvovo.
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