Tourists receive spectacular welcome in Madang

The usual empty and quiet heart of Madang town bustled with activities this morning as over 1,500 tourists arrive on board cruise ship Pacific Aria.

Makeshift handcraft markets were set up as early as 6am at the wharf entrance with beautiful displays of carvings, bilum, canvas paintings and hand-craft for sale。

Other craft markets were set up at the Christian Women’s Association and the Madang Resort Hotel Jetty area and the Kaving Haus。

Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS) was  the excursion agent for the port of call for the cruise ship。

The tour was organized by Swire Group, which saw the tourist kick-start their tour in Alotau.

The next ports will be Wewak and Rabaul.

The highlight of the call in Madang was the Mini Festival organized at Sugen Aben ground adjacent to Madang Resort Hotel。The mini festival showcased the diverse cultures and traditions of PNG in traditional dances。Different groups displayed their

MTS agent Wesley Hantan said one thing special about the mini festival was the representation of the unique culture in the form of colourful traditional performances covering all the regions of PNG。

The tourists,mostly from Australia visited a local village near Madang town。

Anthony Morgan from Bunderberg in Queensland said it was a very good experience visiting Madang。

“It was a very spectacular sight on the boat as we were coming into Madang。The coral islands were very beautifu,”Morgan said。

Author: 
James G. Kila