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From JICA volunteer in 1995 to longstanding tourism partner, Hideo Kamioka helped share Papua New Guinea with the world. PNGTPA honours his contribution.
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Hideo Kamioka, who passed away on 16 October 2026 in Osaka, Japan.
Mr Kamioka’s connection with Papua New Guinea began in 1995, when he arrived as a volunteer with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), serving with the Tourism Promotion Authority. That assignment grew into a longstanding commitment to the country, its people and its tourism industry.
In 2000, he established PNG Japan Ltd in Port Moresby. Through his work in tourism, he helped international visitors discover Papua New Guinea’s cultures, natural landscapes and diverse experiences, while strengthening connections between Papua New Guinea and Japan.
From 2007, he worked closely with PNGTPA as an industry partner, supporting the promotion of Papua New Guinea to international markets.
His work also extended to the Highlands through the company’s Goroka office, supporting visitors travelling between the Highlands, Lae and Madang along the Highlands Highway. These efforts helped showcase tourism experiences beyond the country’s major centres.
Papua New Guinea also became a second home, where he met his wife, Emily, raised a family and formed lasting friendships. Alongside his professional contribution, he supported the Japanese community in Port Moresby.
PNGTPA remembers with gratitude his years of service, partnership and dedication to sharing Papua New Guinea with the world.
On behalf of its Board, Management and Staff, PNGTPA extends heartfelt sympathies to his wife Emily, their children Mio and Masaki, the Kamioka family, his colleagues at PNG Japan and PNG Explorers International, and all who knew him.
His passing is a great loss to Papua New Guinea’s tourism community. His contribution to tourism and to the friendship between our two countries will be remembered with appreciation.
May he rest in eternal peace.◼️
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) has announced a ferry initiative as part of its efforts to support marine tourism and promote the country’s coastal, island and water-based visitor experiences.
PNGTPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Eric Mossman Uvovo, made the announcement during the Gala Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby, marking the conclusion of the two-day PNG Tourism Summit and Trade Exhibition 2026.
Mr Uvovo said the initiative reflected the importance of exploring opportunities to develop Papua New Guinea’s marine tourism potential.
“Papua New Guinea is blessed with an extensive coastline, beautiful islands, rich marine environments and unique coastal cultures. These assets present significant opportunities to develop tourism experiences that benefit our communities, tourism operators and the wider economy,” Mr Uvovo said.
The announcement highlights marine tourism as an area of opportunity for Papua New Guinea’s tourism industry.
Coastal and island destinations offer visitors opportunities to experience marine environments, traditional coastal lifestyles and distinctive island cultures.
Supporting the development of these experiences can create opportunities for local communities, encourage tourism investment and help operators diversify the activities available to domestic and international travellers.
The announcement also reflects discussions at the 2026 PNG Tourism Summit and Trade Exhibition, where government representatives, tourism operators, industry leaders, investors, cultural representatives and development partners considered opportunities for tourism growth and collaboration.
Mr Uvovo said PNGTPA remained committed to working with industry stakeholders and partners to promote the country’s tourism assets and support the sector’s continued development.
Through initiatives that highlight Papua New Guinea’s natural and cultural attractions, PNGTPA aims to strengthen destination awareness and encourage visitors to explore the country’s diverse tourism experiences.◼️
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The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) has announced plans to develop a Tourism Super App to help domestic and international travellers discover, plan and experience Papua New Guinea.
The National Tourism Digital Platform (NTDP), which supports tourism business registration and the collection of industry information, will inform the development of the proposed Super App.
PNGTPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Eric Mossman Uvovo, announced the Super App initiative during the Gala Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby, following the conclusion of the two-day PNG Tourism Summit and Trade Exhibition 2026.
The proposed app is envisioned as a central digital platform bringing together destination information, cultural experiences and relevant travel services.
Mr Uvovo said the initiative would support efforts to modernise tourism promotion and make destination information easier for travellers to access.
“The way people discover destinations and plan their travel is changing. We must embrace digital innovation to make Papua New Guinea more accessible to travellers and ensure visitors can find the information they need to explore our country with greater convenience and confidence,” Mr Uvovo said.
The NTDP will help PNGTPA build a more structured information base about tourism businesses and services, informing the development of the Super App and supporting wider industry engagement.
PNGTPA’s IT and Marketing teams are working together on a clear registration pathway from the Authority’s existing website to the NTDP, supported by information to guide businesses through the process.
A proposed registration and approval workflow is being prepared for management’s review and approval. This will define how business registrations move through submission, verification and approval, and identify responsibilities at each stage.
The teams are also exploring potential integration between the NTDP and PNGTPA’s existing website to share approved business information and reduce duplicate content maintenance.
The platform is intended to accommodate travel agents and wholesalers interested in selling Papua New Guinea through a dedicated subcategory under Tourism Support Services. Proposed information requirements include company details, source markets, Papua New Guinea products sold, and interest in training or marketing opportunities.
These arrangements could support stronger travel trade relationships and inform future training and promotional activities.
The proposed Super App aims to help travellers explore Papua New Guinea’s diverse tourism offerings, including cultural festivals, traditional village experiences, adventure activities, marine attractions, nature-based experiences and hospitality services.
It is also envisioned to support access to real-time safety information, helping visitors make informed decisions when planning and undertaking their journeys.
For tourism operators and service providers, the initiative could create opportunities to showcase their products and experiences to a wider audience.
Once the NTDP registration workflow and support arrangements are approved, PNGTPA’s IT and Marketing teams will coordinate website information, social media announcements and direct industry communications to explain the portal’s purpose and how to use it.
The initiatives reflect PNGTPA’s efforts to strengthen industry information and support while improving the way visitors discover and experience Papua New Guinea.◼️
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Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Eric Mossman Uvovo, has reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to regional tourism cooperation following the country’s hosting of the 68th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting.
Mr Uvovo thanked delegates and tourism representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region for participating in discussions on tourism development, shared challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
“Beyond our formal discussions, this gathering has been an opportunity to build connections, share stories, strengthen friendships across borders, and bring our economies closer together through our common commitment to tourism development,” Mr Uvovo said.
The meeting was held alongside the PNG Tourism Summit & Trade Exhibition 2026, bringing regional tourism representatives together with Papua New Guinea’s domestic tourism industry.
Mr Uvovo said the two gatherings demonstrated the value of connecting national tourism priorities with regional experiences, international best practices and shared knowledge.
He highlighted Session 5 of the Summit as an opportunity to connect Papua New Guinea’s domestic tourism agenda with broader regional discussions, acknowledging the contribution of Thailand’s representatives in facilitating the engagement.
“As Papua New Guinea continues to advance its tourism development agenda, we recognise the value of learning from our APEC partners. We also look forward to contributing our own experiences, perspectives and unique tourism opportunities to the wider Asia-Pacific region,” he said.
Mr Uvovo emphasised that continued engagement with APEC partners would support the exchange of ideas and meaningful cooperation across the region.
He also encouraged visiting delegates to experience Papua New Guinea’s extraordinary landscapes, rich cultural heritage and welcoming communities.
He expressed hope that the relationships established during the meeting would lead to practical outcomes for tourism development throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
“May the connections and friendships formed here continue beyond this meeting, translating into stronger partnerships and meaningful cooperation for tourism across our region.”◼️
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The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) has thanked the PNG Tourism Summit & Trade Exhibition 2026 sponsors and partners whose financial and in-kind contributions helped deliver the Summit and Trade Exhibition, held on 13–14 October at APEC Haus in Port Moresby.
The event brought together government representatives, industry leaders, tourism operators, investors and development partners to discuss opportunities for tourism development, investment and sustainable growth.
Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) led the sponsorship contributions as Platinum Sponsor, contributing K250,000.
Gold Sponsors contributed K100,000 each:
Bronze Sponsors contributed K50,000 each:
PNGTPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Eric Mossman Uvovo, thanked the sponsors for supporting a national platform for collaboration and tourism development.
“On behalf of the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, I extend our sincere gratitude to MRDC for leading the way as our Platinum Sponsor, and to all our Gold and Bronze Sponsors for their generous contributions towards the PNG Tourism Summit & Trade Exhibition 2026.”
PNGTPA also acknowledged the in-kind contributions of Telikom PNG Limited, the National Museum and Art Gallery, National Cultural Commission, Pacific Industries – Pepsi PNG, Jack’s PNG Ltd, PNG Air, Air Niugini, Coral Sea Hotels, Crowne Plaza Residences, Port Moresby Nature Park, Alibi Bar & Grill, Sidaam Restaurant, Paradise Foods Limited, Loloata Island Resort, Lamana Hotel and Ela Motors.
Their support helped meet transport, logistics, accommodation, cultural programming and other operational requirements for the Summit and Trade Exhibition.
“We also acknowledge our supporting partners whose financial, logistical, transport, accommodation, cultural and institutional assistance helped make this important national event possible. Your contributions reflect a shared belief in the potential of tourism to create employment, attract investment, empower local communities and support sustainable economic development,” said Mr Uvovo.
The Summit provided opportunities to exchange ideas on destination marketing, infrastructure, cultural heritage, hospitality and sustainable tourism, while encouraging greater private sector participation in the industry.
Mr Uvovo emphasised that continued cooperation between government, industry, development partners and local communities would be essential to building a strong and sustainable tourism sector.
“The support demonstrated by our sponsors and partners is greatly appreciated. We look forward to building on these relationships and continuing to work together to create opportunities for our people, strengthen local businesses and grow tourism as an important pillar of Papua New Guinea’s economy,” Mr Uvovo said.◼️
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Kam, Yumi Raun! (Come Explore With Us!) invites the world to Papua New Guinea, in the words of Papua New Guineans
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, 16 October 2026: The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) gave the country’s tourism industry its first look at Papua New Guinea’s new destination brand at the Tourism Summit and Trade Exhibition 2026 at APEC Haus, Port Moresby. Danny Cohanpour, CEO and Founder of Trove Tourism Development Advisors, presented the brand preview on Tuesday, 13 October. He unveiled the logo, the tagline Kam, Yumi Raun! (Come Explore With Us!) and the brand preview video.
Cohanpour walked delegates through the four-month process behind the brand, in which more than 5,500 residents and international travellers took part. He also introduced the majority Papua New Guinean team that built it. Delegates, tourism operators and government partners commended the brand throughout the day. PNGTPA will formally launch the brand in early 2027.
A majority Papua New Guinean team built the brand, with four organisations working together:
The new brand puts Papua New Guineans at the front. Past PNG campaigns showed landscapes, wildlife and aerial views, and rarely showed the people. Now, for the first time, Papua New Guineans themselves invite the world to visit, in Tok Pisin and in English. The Momase region asked the team to anchor the brand in a PNG-language word, and the Tok Pisin line delivers it. PNGTPA will always pair Kam, Yumi Raun! with its English translation, Come Explore With Us!, so every traveller understands the invitation.
The brand presents Papua New Guinea through its four regions and four sides of the country: diving, sport, culture, and nature and adventure. Together they show the range of experiences no other Pacific destination can match.
The logo is big and bold, built for a country of global importance with the richest nature and adventure on earth. As Cohanpour told delegates, it “can be seen from outer space.”
[Watch thePNG destination brand preview video]
The brand preview video tells the story of four Papua New Guineans, one from each region and each showing a different side of PNG, speaking to camera in their own words:
Port Moresby production company Cheyes Visuals filmed the video with Trove.
Residents, regional consultations and international travellers pointed to the same four requirements. The brand meets each one:
One idea ties the four together: “The bond between people and place is cherished in Papua New Guinea. Every visit is an invitation to honour that connection.” Residents named this bond, the regional consultations set its terms, and travellers confirmed it. 75% of past visitors say “local people, culture and land are closely connected” describes the PNG they experienced very or extremely well.
PNGTPA ran the consultation as the Have Your Say campaign, so Papua New Guineans could shape their own brand. Trove and VERGE Papua New Guinea asked residents first, met them in person in every region, then tested what they heard with travellers around the world. More than 5,500 people took part.
| Research stream | Scale |
| Resident Pride & Place Survey | 2,466 residents from all four regions, in English and Tok Pisin; 21,397 written answers read and coded one by one |
| In-person consultations, July and August 2026 | 600+ Papua New Guineans in workshops, community visits and one-on-one interviews in Port Moresby, Mount Hagen, Lae and Gabensis, and Kokopo; every province invited in person or by dial-in |
| Thematic focus groups | 8 groups and one-on-one interviews with leaders in sport, international trade, domestic trade, culture, heritage, tourism research, educational and medical tourism, and nature, dive and adventure |
| Steering committee | Public and private sector leaders who guided the work from start to finish |
| International traveller surveys | 2,480 international travellers: 1,604 who have visited PNG and 876 who have never been, including recent visitors reached through PNGTPA’s visitor records |
| Brand and PR audit | 15 destination brands reviewed; 2,942 online mentions of PNG tracked from 11 May to 1 July 2026 |
Pride runs deep across the country:
Residents also want the world to see them as they are. 55% want PNG known for the richness and diversity of its cultures and peoples, and only 29% say the way PNG is shown to the world today reflects people like them. The new brand closes that gap.
Asked how appealing each part of PNG felt looking back, past visitors rated the natural world (84%), the warmth and generosity of the people (80%) and cultural diversity (75%) very or extremely appealing. 82% of visitors are likely or very likely to return. Among the 876 travellers who have never visited, 59% say they are only slightly familiar with PNG, which gives the brand real room to grow awareness. Visitors and non-visitors alike said clear travel and safety information and trusted local guides would give them the confidence to book.
Four provincial tourism offices hosted and facilitated the regional consultations: the Western Highlands Provincial Government Office of Tourism, Arts & Culture (Mount Hagen); the Lae Tourism Bureau (Lae); the East New Britain Tourism Authority (Kokopo); and the National Capital District Commission (Port Moresby).
“Papua New Guineans told us who they are, and this brand lets them say it to the world,” said Joel Keimelo, Executive Manager, Marketing and Promotions, PNGTPA. “In early 2027 we take Kam, Yumi Raun! (Come Explore With Us!) to every market.”
“Papua New Guinea is big, bold and a place of global importance, so we built a logo that can be seen from outer space,” said Danny Cohanpour, CEO and Founder, Trove Tourism Development Advisors. “This brand belongs to Papua New Guineans. More than 5,500 people had their say, and Kam, Yumi Raun! (Come Explore With Us!) is their invitation to the world.”
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New national tourism brand shaped by thousands of Papua New Guineans and international travellers to be officially launched in early 2027.
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea | 13 October 2026 — The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) will preview Papua New Guinea’s new destination brand today at the Papua New Guinea Tourism Summit and Trade Exhibition 2026, held at APEC Haus in Port Moresby.
A short brand teaser will be screened during the opening day of the two-day Summit, providing tourism industry stakeholders, delegates and media with their first glimpse of the new destination brand ahead of its official launch in early 2027.
Developed over four months in partnership with Trove Tourism Development Advisors, a global tourism branding agency, and VERGE Papua New Guinea, a PNG-based branding agency, the new destination brand draws on extensive research and consultations involving Papua New Guineans, tourism stakeholders and international travellers.
The research process prioritised the voices of Papua New Guineans before testing the findings with travellers from around the world.
Key research activities included:
The research revealed a significant gap between how Papua New Guineans feel about their country and how they believe it is represented internationally.
According to the resident survey, 96% of respondents expressed pride in telling others where they come from, while only 29% believed that Papua New Guinea’s portrayal to the world accurately reflected who they are.
The new destination brand aims to help bridge this gap by presenting a more authentic representation of Papua New Guinea, informed by the people who call it home.
“Papua New Guineans told us who they are, and this brand is built on their words,” said Joel Keimelo, Executive Manager, Marketing and Promotions, PNGTPA.
“Residents, travellers and tourism operators in every region shaped it. On Tuesday we give our industry its first look, and in early 2027 we take it to the world.”
The brand teaser presentation at APEC Haus marks an important milestone in PNGTPA’s destination rebranding initiative.
The industry preview will provide Summit delegates, tourism operators and media representatives with an introduction to the direction of Papua New Guinea’s new destination brand.
The full destination brand, including its official logo, tagline and brand film, will be unveiled in early 2027, followed by marketing and public relations activities across Papua New Guinea’s key international tourism markets.
The initiative forms part of PNGTPA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Papua New Guinea’s destination identity and international tourism positioning.◼️
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Western Highlands launched its provincial tourism website on 22 June 2026 at the Highlander Hotel in Mount Hagen, marking a step towards strengthening the province’s tourism presence online.
The event was attended by Western Highlands Governor Hon. Wai Rapa, who addressed the gathering. The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) also participated, with Senior Digital Marketing Officer Pauline Riman delivering remarks.
The website initiative was undertaken by the Division of Commerce, Culture and Tourism under the Western Highlands Provincial Administration. The division is headed by Executive Manager Richard Lazarus.
The launch builds on earlier efforts to establish a provincial tourism platform. In a previous public update, Mr Lazarus described the website initiative as a milestone for Western Highlands and encouraged its promotion to audiences in Papua New Guinea and overseas.
A dedicated tourism website provides an opportunity to share the province’s destinations, local stories and visitor experiences with a wider audience. It can also help prospective travellers discover the province and find information to support their travel planning.
For local tourism businesses and communities, a stronger digital presence offers opportunities to raise awareness of experiences across Western Highlands and complement national destination marketing.
The launch highlights the role of provincial leadership and tourism officers in bringing local knowledge into digital promotion. Keeping destination information current and accurate will be important to the platform’s ongoing value for travellers and the industry.
Visit westernhighlandstravel.com to explore the website.
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The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), in partnership with Air Niugini and industry stakeholders, participated in the three-day exhibition from 25–27 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The event provided a platform to introduce Papua New Guinea to prospective visitors and connect with the travel industry.
Visitors to the PNG stand explored opportunities for diving, snorkelling, birdwatching, trekking, cultural festivals and island holidays. Traditional dancers from Rigo District, Central Province, brought the destination to life through performances featuring traditional dress and kundu drumming.
Industry partners included Coral Sea Hotels, Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort, Karanas Comfort Tours, Dynasty Seafood Restaurant Vision City, Alibi Bar & Grill, Asia Aromas, Daikoku Japanese Restaurant and Cuppa Cafe.
Air Niugini Regional Manager Asia Joshua Koh reported encouraging visitor interest, with thousands visiting the booth to learn about PNG. He also highlighted the opportunity to develop relationships supporting future tourism and business activity.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne emphasised PNG’s distinctive visitor experiences and the role of direct flights between Hong Kong and Port Moresby in supporting access to the destination.
The Hong Kong exhibition followed PNGTPA and Air Niugini’s participation in the Travel Madness Expo in Manila in July and the NATAS Travel Fair in Singapore in August. Together, these activities continued the partners’ efforts to increase destination awareness and strengthen tourism connections across Asian markets.
Source credit: Based on an update published by Air Niugini on Facebook
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The South Sea Horizons Foundation has begun donating and installing Starlink internet units at schools across East New Britain, with an initial target of 20 schools.
In an update shared on LinkedIn, South Sea Horizons Australasia said many of the schools involved had never had internet access. The initiative will enable their computer labs to move beyond standalone use, opening up access to online information and learning resources.
The programme comes as schools increasingly need access to digital curriculum materials. According to South Sea Horizons, limited connectivity has left many schools unable to take full advantage of these resources, despite having computers available.
The organisation described the initiative as a way of giving back to the communities it comes from, with its tourism business helping make the programme possible. It hopes teachers will use the new connectivity to broaden students’ learning opportunities.
The schools were identified by Relly Manning, whom the update credits with more than 40 years of experience in education in East New Britain. Her involvement reflects a longstanding commitment to education and to ensuring children can engage with technology without being held back by a lack of access.
South Sea Horizons said teachers had welcomed the initiative, recognising the opportunities internet connectivity could bring to their classrooms.
Beginning with 20 schools in East New Britain, the organisation has indicated plans to extend the programme to more provinces.
The initiative offers a practical example of tourism’s contribution to community development in Papua New Guinea—supporting access to education and creating opportunities for the next generation.
Source credit: Based on an update published by South Sea Horizons Australasia on LinkedIn.
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Thank you for submitting your registration for the PNG Tourism Sector Legislation Review!
Spaces are limited per consultation, so only registered participants will be contacted.
Kind regards,
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority
Thank you for submitting your business form. We will have our team look over the details and then contact you once we have added your details to our website.
