Cruise tourism

Cruise tourism continues to grow in Milne Bay

Member for Alotau Open Charles Abel confirmed that 36 to 56 ships are expected to arrive on Milne Bay shores in 2017.

Abel recently told Loop PNG that Milne Bay is heading cruise tourism in the country and is now receiving almost one cruise ship a week.

He added that the arrival of cruise ships is increasing rapidly every year.

Local tourism operator Egwalau Tours and Events Milne Bay has also reported a recent influx of cruise ships visiting Alotau this year.

Kulang welcomes chopper tours in Milne Bay

Tourists from cruise ships traveling into Alotau will experience an aerial view of the township and outer islands following the launch of the chopper service recently.

The chopper service is operated by HeliScope PNG and will offer three different tours for tourists.

This service provides a 12-minute tour, 25-minute tour and a 40-minute tour towards East Cape, showing cruise line guests the beautiful scenery of the province.

Kulang said this is an exciting addition to what Alotau can provide for tourism in PNG.

Egwalau Tours reports recent influx of cruise ships

Egwalau Tours is based in Alotau and was established in 2014, fully owned by two Milne Bay women and specialises in providing tours, event management and shore excursions.

Egwalau Tours director Elaine Bate said currently their main focus is on cruise ships that arrive in Alotau including Princess (Carnival Australia) cruise ships.

Carnival Australia cruise ship is part of the Carnival Corporation that represents one of the worlds’ popular cruise brands.

Study: Cruise tourism brings in K14 million into PNG economy annually

The study, commissioned by the Australian Government, World Bank Group member IFC and the region’s leading cruise operator Carnival Australia, looked at PNG’s five main ports and identified a number of opportunities and investments to develop cruise tourism and capitalise further on the growing sector.

The study said cruise tourism brought $5.9 million Australian dollars (K14.4 million) into Papua New Guinea’s economy last year, with an estimated $0.2 million dollars (K0.48 million) in indirect economic benefits, according to a new study.