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An employee from the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) represented the country’s Tourism sector at the 16th UTM-UN training in Macao late last year to enhance PNG’s digital innovation in the tourism industry.
TPA’s Digital Marketing Officer for Website, Craig Kaviagu joined more than 40 participants from the Asia Pacific Region in the digital training program hosted on Monday 18 to Friday 21 November 2024.
Kaviagu highlighted the transformative role of technology in promoting tourism in PNG.
“Technology allows us to reach the other side of the world almost instantly.”
In PNG we need a strong digital system involving government departments, industry players, and SMEs to allow us to identify trends across sectors, improving decision-making and targeted strategies,” said Kaviagu.
Kaviagu explored the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing tourism experiences.
“While infrastructure limitations remain, we cannot afford to delay, as technology evolves rapidly with the current use of AI, which can streamline bottleneck processes that assist travellers and tour operators,” said Kaviagu.
The training was facilitated through the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and University of Macao’s (UTM) joint training program. It is designed to provide professionals in the tourism industry with valuable insights and skills related to tourism marketing, digital transformation, and current global trends.
TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo commended Craig for his valuable knowledge gained through the training program emphasizing on the importance of investing in people.
“There is a need to upskill our current human resources and our industry, educating the next generation. Closing the digital literacy gap and preparing for jobs of the future are vital steps for PNG’s tourism sector to grow and change,” said Uvovo.
TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo acknowledged the challenges of implementing technology in PNG.
“We do have issues like infrastructure limitations, digital literacy gaps, but despite these challenges there is a huge opportunity if we act now to bridge these gaps,” said Uvovo.
The training also provided actionable insights for immediate application, which TPA sees the potential for AI to enhance efficiency without replacing human roles in the industry and training industry members to be well equipped to use AI-driven processes.
Uvovo also supports launching digital literacy workshops for local tourism operators aimed at establishing a strong digital presence, equipping operators with skills in social media management, website management, and running online advertisements.
Looking ahead, Uvovo envisions a tourism sector that integrates technology, culture, and the environment.
“We must ensure our traditions and natural surroundings thrive alongside technological advancements to promote PNG’s million different journeys,” he said.
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