PNG Tourism

The agreement was signed during an official ceremony held in Port Moresby on Tuesday.

CEO of the TPA Eric Mossman Uvovo highlighted the importance of this partnership, describing it as a “necessary tool” to position PNG as a top tourist destination. 

He said PNG should expect growth in that sector, especially with the cruise ship industry.

Cruise tourism is the fastest-growing tourism subsector and has become a significant export for over 80 percent of the world’s developing nations, especially in the Pacific.

“The Australian cruise market is one of the world’s fastest-growing cruise markets, frequently cruising the South Pacific, namely Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Fiji,” Wong said.

It has been a disaster for the entire tourism industry, causing crippling financial stress on all tourism stakeholders. South Sea Horizon’s Lead Guide, Alan Manning said re-setting the focus of the industry on domestic tourism has reduced revenue for many Papua New Guinean operators.

“I believe the costs of operating in PNG has been too expensive for the domestic market, considering the costs of running a tourism operation such as fuel for banana boats, vehicle running costs or food for guest houses. Tourism can be quite expensive for the domestic tourist,” Manning said.

This promise was delivered by Governor Chris Haiveta at the closing of the 2017 HMF on Saturday.

The festival is hosted yearly by the Motu-Koita Assembly to celebrate the famous Hiri Trade.

As Haiveta said, the trade built long-lasting friendships and marriages between the people of these two provinces – Gulf and Motu-Koitabu.

“The trade has an intrinsic and cultural value of our people which must never be forgotten and allowed to change with time and progress,” he said.

This was evident during the interview with James Qian, the agent at the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority office in Shanghai, China.

The office has been in existence for three years now.

Qian says initially, not many Chinese were aware of PNG. But this has changed now, with visitor numbers to PNG increasing yearly.

“China people love to travel. Most prefer spending their holidays overseas. So this provides a good opportunity for PNG,” he said.

Qian said 2018 will particularly be a good year for PNG.

Sun Princess, which departed Freemantle in Melbourne four days ago berthed at the Milne Bay wharf in the early hours of this morning.

The cruise ship with more than 2,000 tourists from Australia didn't waste time but went straight into business of visiting various tourist destinations around the province.

Loop PNG interviewed one of the tourist Karen Huen from Perth.

Huen was a first timer to travel to PNG and was amazed how friendly the people were making a commitment to return later.

Executive Director, Douveri Henao, tells Loop PNG that local tour operators need to up their game and be competitive against Australian businesses.

“The first one is that we just need to increase our game. People will trust our operators largely because of their standards, their accessibility, and generally their professionalism,” he said.

Dadae said tourism has an enormous economic potential for the country but is unexplored. 

“Our country’s economic potential lies in tourism in areas that are untapped or yet to be explored.

“PNG is an attractive destination in terms of cultural diversity, with more than 800 languages and cultures that we can showcase to the world, and natural beauty, our country is very beautiful with diverse flora and fauna, high mountains, magnificent waterfalls and stunning beaches, to name a few,” Dadae said.

More than 200 tourists mainly French and about 40 Australians used zodiacs to motor into Kopar where they were met by enthusiastic villagers including three singsing groups and traditionally dressed elementary school children singing the Papua New Guinea national anthem.

L’Austral is part of Ponant Cruises of France with co-owner Captain Lemaire Jean-Philippe leading the land tours to Kopar Village. Kopar villagers were so excited with his visit that they made him an honourary chief of the village.