Tourists

Minister Maru when announcing the entry of Radisson Blu to the PNG hotel industry, stated, “This is a very exciting announcement at a very strategic time and a very exciting time in our nation’s history. This investment could not have come at a better time because the inaugural direct flight between Guangzhou and Port Moresby will arrive tomorrow (Wed Dec 20, 2023). 

Australia, which shut its borders in March of 2020, has been going through a staggered reopening in recent months, allowing in only its citizens and residents, skilled migrants, international students and certain seasonal workers.

In January, Morrison said he hoped international borders could fully reopen before Easter.

His popularity has been sliding in recent months, however, in part reflecting questions about his handling of the Omicron outbreak, and he faces pressure from a federal election that must be called by May.

The Cook Islands has announced it will re-open its borders from the second week of January, but Niue Tourism Board chairperson Vanessa Marsh said they would not following suit.

She said Niue doesn't have a set date for re-opening its borders, but the country was looking toward late in the first half of 2022.

Marsh said Niue was taking a cautious approach.

The couple presented with an illness while holidaying in the Western Division.

They were provided with medical treatment but their illnesses progressively worsened and despite best efforts, they died within a few days of each other.

At this stage the Ministry is conducting investigations into the possible causes and has also put in place necessary public health measures.

A US media report said the couple's family believe they might have contracted a virus.

The couple, who have a young son, were understood to be in the middle of round the world trip.

Minister for Immigration and Border Security, Petrus Thomas clarified this today when given dual and naturalized citizenship to 21 foreign nationals.

Five of were given naturalized citizenships.

The minister said  All visitors coming in from China under Tourist visas will have be part of a group who will be monitored by an agent.

“When we look at tourists, Chinese tourists are the higherst. There is free money in tourism,” he said.

Minister Thomas says tourists visas on arrival are also for tourists who are in senior management.

Tourists are expected from Europe, The United States, Asia and the Pacific.

Director of Trans Niugini Tours, Pauline Grove, said even though there have been a lot of negative publicity on the election-related law and order problems, tourists have shown interest in still coming over.

The Mt Hagen Cultural Show will be on again this year from the 19th to 20th of this month.

This happens so every time there are special occasions, like festivals such as provincial days, cultural events including school or work events that get the interest of tourists and locals as well.

Loop PNG interviewed a group of mothers who were selling their handcraft at Ela Beach during the Hiri Moale Festival and this is what they had to say.

Maria Joseph from Enga sells bilums which she weaves herself.

ENB Tourism chief executive officer Gard Renson said in Kokopo the Pacific Aria would be the second cruise ship to visit the province this year.

The Sea Princess visited the province last month with more than 1000 tourists on board.

“The province is expected to receive 16 cruise ships this year,” he said. He also added that work was being carried out on the Kokopo-Rabaul road in preparation for the tourists.

Renson said there was a need to clear the road after recent bad weather.

He said said the province received 15 cruise ships last year.

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.

Two kind hearted visitors from Sydney in Australia brought smiles to the children, attending this little known school on the south eastern edge of Kokopo town.

Two elderly women, Jane Kaine and Elaine Handford reached out to the  children with colouring books, colouring pencils, reading books, exercise books, pencils and many other beautiful gifts.

Both women were part of the 2000 tourists onboard the Dawn Princess vessel that called into Simpson Harbour last week.

They were part of the 1039 tourists that visited war memorial sites in Rabaul and Kokopo.