PNG Tourism Promotion Authority is behind PNG’s fashion industry, with their concept of fashion tourism.
TPA CEO, Jerry Angus highlights the close similarities between the two industries, saying they can work along.
He says like tourism, fashion is based on culture, ultimately wants to sell, has a niche market and gives a sense of self-identity.
Speaking at the first day of workshop organised by PNG Fashion Week yesterday, the CEO pledged TPA’s support behind PNGFW’s initiative.
“Our support is there because it is part of tourism and increases foreign arrivals, provides employment, raises profile of the country, promotes culture, supports our SMEs and provides other spin-off benefits as well. Because of all these reasons, we support Fashion Tourism,” he said.
Fashion, falls the new tourism product category, along with others such as MICE (meetings/incentives/conference/exhibitions), medical tourism, space tourism, war tourism, shopping tourism and sports tourism.
For PNG, the fashion industry is just in its infant stages.
PNGFW Director, Janet Sios said the long-term commitment is to grow the tourism industry and attract international buyers into the country.
“That is a challenge for the Tourism Promotion Authority and the National Government to acknowledge and support our future events,” Janet said.
She is confident that PNG has a lot to offer to the world of fashion.