National Tourism Plan 2021-2025 Validation Workshop

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority in its objective to develop the National Tourism Plan 2021-2025, hosted a three-day validation workshop from Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd January 2021 at APEC Haus in Port Moresby.

The workshop brought together over 100 stakeholders from around the country, both private and public sector, mainly; tour operators, resource owners, provincial tourism officer’s, community groups, leading tourism and hospitality organizations in PNG and key government sectoral representatives.

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Isi Henry Leonard opened the occasion emphasizing his vision for tourism 2020 and beyond “As a key economic sector with significant potential for growth; managing and implementing policies and plans in the Tourism Industry requires a holistic approach due to the sector strong cross-sectoral nature.” The minister responsible also assured tourism industry stakeholders that under his tenure he will ensure legislative reforms are undertaken to bring the industry forward into the new era, despite the adverse effects Covid-19 has had on the global tourism.

The purpose of the validation workshop was to amend, align and integrate feedback collated through the regional stakeholder consultation workshops facilitated by TPA in 2019. This workshop was also to facilitate thematic discussions on alignment to the government’s vision and priorities on the development of tourism as a key economic sector.

The aim of this validation workshop was focused on achieving:

1. A consolidated visionary plan determined by all relevant stakeholders for the growth of tourism in the next five (5) years as a key economic sector for the country;
2. Utilize feedback to refine the National Sustainable Tourism Policy Draft and Review the amendments of the TPA Act 1993 for proper alignment and effective implementation of the National Tourism Plan 2021-2025;

As the government endeavors to advance the tourism sector through the Medium-Term Development Plan III, the importance of driving an industry that is inclusive to all and can be sustained for the years to come is crucial.

Chief Executive Officer for the Tourism Promotion Authority, Mr. Eric Mossman Uvovo stated that “Tourism has been identified as a key economic sector that has significant potential, however, requires a holistic approach due to its strong cross-sectoral nature”.

This event has refined the design of the new National Tourism Plan to enable it to be inclusive, realistic and achievable at all levels of society by critically understanding and capturing the voices of the entire supply chain within the tourism industry.

Substantive discussions shared by the tourism industry stakeholders have reiterated the importance of having improved standards in regulations, licensing and pricing, safety and security, tax incentives, community involvement, product development, education, training and awareness, digital inclusion, infrastructure, communication, strengthening partnerships and creating enabling environments for tourism to flourish in PNG in order to be globally competitive in offering PNG as a desired tourist destination. 

The preparation of the new integrated National Tourism Plan 2021-2025 will undergo further liaison and consultation with relevant government agencies, industry and development partners in order to make manifest the aspirations of the tourism sector to revive itself amidst the global pandemic in the next five years with the aim to ‘Build Back Better’.

PNGTPA strongly believes that ‘Tourism is everyone’s business’ hence is encouraging all tourism stakeholders involved in the industry to participate in the surveys and interview exercises to contribute effectively towards this initiative that will benefit the people of PNG

For further information, email the Tourism Promotion Authority Policy and Planning Division: policy@papuanewguinea.travel