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Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), the statutory body wholly funded by the Government of Papua New Guinea who are responsible for the promotion of PNG as a desirable travel destination, have announced the appointment of Example to represent the country within the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Example, a Sydney-based communications agency that specializes in hospitality, travel and lifestyle, will be handling all public relations, trade relations and marketing for the PNG Tourism Authority, with a focus on driving increased visitation from Australia and New Zealand.
Working closely with the travel trade and consumer media, Example will create story-telling moments and experiences in order to educate travelers of Papua New Guinea’s diverse culture and showcase PNG as a must-visit destination.
The announcement follows a competitive tender process and sees Andrew Cavallaro, Example’s Head of Marketing, reinstated as AU/NZ lead for the tourism board, following his previous tenure in the role between 2014 – 2016.
“Australia is PNG’s most important source market for visitors. We are excited to grow our Australian and New Zealand arrivals and work with Example to spread the word of the beautiful islands and mountainous regions PNG has to offer, as well as the incredible cultural and adventure travel experiences throughout the country”, says Kennedy Wenge, PNGTPA’s Board Chairman.
Mr Wenge said the PNG TPA Board was excited about Example marketing and promoting Papua New Guinea Tourism in Australia and New Zealand.
“Andrew passionately leads the charge promoting Papua New Guinea and we’re looking forward to having him back at the helm, working alongside Example’s impressive PR and marketing team”, added Mr Wenge.
“We are thrilled to have been appointed, and I am excited to be promoting PNG once again to Australians and New Zealanders”, says Andrew Cavallaro, Example’s Head of Marketing.
“Papua New Guinea is an incredibly diverse country, but one that is lesser known to Aussies and Kiwis. We’re looking forward to shining a spotlight on our closest neighbour and showing everyone how special PNG is.”
Example commences work with PNGTPA on 1 June 2019, with further exciting announcements to be made shortly.
Staff writer: Colin Taimbari
For further information, email PNGTPA director marketing Ms. Alice Kuaningi: marketing@papuanewguinea.
New research shows there were almost 95,000 visitors arriving by air in Papua New Guinea, PNG, in 2018, who generated more than PGK690 million (USD$205 million) of spending flowing into the country’s economy.
These air arrivals were part of almost 195,000 international visitors to PNG in 2018, with the overall figure including people arriving by cruise ships as well as those who arrived in the country for short and long-term employment.
The International Visitor Survey (IVS) undertaken by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority and the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute, shows that visitors arriving by air for tourism, business and to visit friends and relatives increased by ten percent from 2017. The biggest spending by those 95,000 visitors, was for accommodation, airfares, and food and drinks.
The research shows that holiday visitors are the biggest spenders, staying an average of 10 nights and spending more than USD$2,500 per person per trip. While they only made up 33 percent of total visitors in 2018, this has increased from 26 percent of total visitors in 2017. Business travelers are still the largest group of visitors, making up 50 percent of people arriving by air in PNG. They stay about nine nights in the country, spending about USD$2,170 per person per trip.
“The survey shows the potential for Papua New Guinea to grow its tourism market, with a seven percent increase in holiday makers arriving by air in 2018, compared to the previous year,” said IFC’s Resident Representative for Papua New Guinea, John Vivian. “While the research shows visitors nominated safety and security as well as infrastructure as key areas for improvement, it’s significant that over 90 percent of people said they would return to the country.”
Overall the research shows PNG remains heavily reliant on the Australian market for visitors, with Australians accounting for just over half of all the visitors. Australians are predominately visiting the key tourism sites in the Central and Northern Province with keen interest in historical and adventure tourism.
“Tourism cuts across all sectors and needs concerted efforts of relevant sector agencies to address issues such as law and order and infrastructure developments,” said PNG Tourism Promotion Authority Chief Executive Officer, Jerry Agus. “PNG TPA’s main focus continues to be on marketing and promoting the country as well as scoping and developing international standard tourism products.”
“Every Papua New Guinean citizen is also encouraged to embrace the importance of tourism by doing their bit to help lift the image and profile of the country as this responsibility does not revolve around the PNG TPA alone,” Mr Agus said.
The research points to increasing interest by visitors to PNG in travel to the country’s provinces. Outside of Port Moresby, Central Province, Morobe and Northern Province received the most visitors. There was a 25 percent rise in the number of visitors to Milne Bay and a 17 percent increase in visitors to East New Britain, both areas designated as future key tourism destinations, bringing in millions of dollars to those local economies.
The 2018 IVS also explored niche market tourism for the first time. Adventure and cultural tourists were the largest niche markets, bringing in about 20 percent of all holiday visitors. While bird watching and scuba diving brought in only four percent and 12 percent of holiday tourists in 2018, the high levels of spending by those tourists per trip make them important high yield tourism markets. IFC’s Papua New Guinea Tourism Demand Assessment study, published last year, highlighted the importance of PNG growing its tourism by developing niche markets such as cultural, adventure and historical tourism.
With travel and tourism key drivers of economic growth, accounting for almost one tenth of global GDP, IFC’s tourism work in PNG is focused on supporting the development of tourism business, improving tourism-related conditions, and helping attract investment.
IFC is also working with the World Bank to improve tourism services in the targeted destinations of East New Britain and Milne Bay.
Press release by International Finance Corporation – World Bank Group.
For further information please email marketing@papuanewguinea.
Following the success of the inaugural staging last year, PNG Dive Focus 2019 took place over the course of three weeks in the month of May.
PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s Destination Marketing Representatives (DMR’s) identify diving as the leading attraction for travelers in their respective markets.
PNG Dive Focus is intended to address the combined aims of the international travel trade with those of our dive tourism operators, to increase the number of dive visitors from those source markets to Papua New Guinea.
The DMR’s escorted groups of invited dive travel trade on familiarization tours to the established diving locations of Tufi, Madang, Kimbe Bay and Kavieng.
A total of 20 invited trade guests were hosted for up to a week by six PNG Dive Association (PNGDA) member operators. Familiarization tours included property inspections, land tours and of course diving. Each group convened for trade meetings with PNGDA members on Wednesday 15th May at the Airways Hotel in Port Moresby.
Dive tour wholesalers and media from Australia, Japan, Taiwan, United States, Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands and Great Britain gained first-hand experience, enabling them to confidently promote and sell PNG as a dive destination to their clientele. Media delegates produced feature articles for print and electronic dive publications, and posted regular updates on social media during their stay.
Members of the PNG Divers Association keenly supported this networking initiative. “We have long advocated the importance of maintaining a rapport with the international travel trade as one of the most effective and sustainable ways to grow our business” said PNGDA President Max Benjamin.
PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s renewed support of PNG Dive Focus validates the success of this joint Government and Dive Industry partnership.
PNG Dive Focus 2019 is generously sponsored and supported by PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Air Niugini, PNG Air, Airways Hotel and PNGDA members Tufi Resort, Madang Resort Hotel & Niugini Dive Adventures, Walindi Resort & MV Oceania, Lissenung Island Resort, Loloata Island Resort.
Writer: Vilia Lawrence
For further information, contact the PNG Dive Association via their website: https://pngdive.net/contact-us
A team from the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) traveled to the Southern Highlands Province from 21st April to 3rd May this year to conduct general tourism awareness and tour guide training’s to the Tourism Product Owners in the Southern Highlands Province. The team visited all the districts in the province and conducted the training’s in the first two weeks prior to the launching of “Tourism Promotion Activities in Southern Highlands Province” by Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture Hon. Emil Tammur, MP & PNG Tourism Promotion Authority CEO, Mr. Jerry Agus on the 3rd of May 2019. Southern Highlands Province has a lot of unique tourism products to offer to both domestic and international tourists and the training’s and launching was timely for the province.
The Papua New Guinea Tourism team brought its unique colorful presence to the South Pacific Tourism Exchange in Auckland today, adding to the warmth and vibrant island atmosphere shared by other Pacific tourism representatives.
The South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) is an annual travel-trade event hosted by the Fiji-based South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) with a membership of over 200 recognized government and private sector tourism bodies from around the Pacific, including the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA).
“Our presence at the SPTE Auckland show is the start of PNG’s marketing focus on New Zealand who are known for their adventure-based travelers. In the next five years, PNGTPA will be placing a greater focus on the development of the New Zealand market, especially specific niche markets such as trekking, diving and cultural tourism,” said CEO Jerry Agus.
Proudly joining the PNGTPA in marketing destination Papua New Guinea at the SPTE in Auckland are the following PNG tour operators: Melanesian Tourist Services, Paiya Tours, PNG Trekking Adventures, PNG Highlands Adventures, Buna Treks & Tours, Country Tours, PNG Explorers International and Air Niugini.
The Papua New Guinea Tourism team will meet with New Zealand tourism wholesalers and travel agencies to sell, market and promote our tourism products and services.
Miss Pacific Islands Leoshina Kariha also makes up part of the Papua New Guinea tourism team at the SPTE, embracing her greater role of not only being our PNG tourism ambassador, but the South Pacific Tourism Ambassador as well under the SPTO.
The SPTO and Miss Kariha will be advocating tourism in the Pacific at the SPTE Auckland Show under the “Ours is Yours” Sustainable Tourism campaign.
PNGTPA is proud to support Miss Pacific Islands and participate in the 2019 South Pacific Tourism Exchange.
Staff Writer: Pauline Riman
For further information, contact the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s Marketing Division, email: marketing@papuanewguinea.travel
PORT MORESBY City’s popular Hiri Moale Festival will be bigger and better in 2019 with major side shows and side events leading up to the main event in September. The Hiri Moale Festival 2019 was launched at the symbolic APEC Haus whose structure is designed like the Lakatoi – huge traditional double hull canoes – used by the Motu-Koitabu during the Hiri Trade with their Gulf neighbours to the West in years gone by.
National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop and Motu-Koitabu Assembly Chairman Dadi Toka Junior jointly launched the festival with special guest appearance by the Hiri Hanenamo Queen 2019. Mr Toka said celebrations will be hosted at the newly redeveloped Ela Beach starting in July with live performances by local bands in the evenings culminating with canoe racing before the Independence Weekend in September when the Hiri Moale Festival will be held.
He said the festival will be different this year as it will be held in the evening beginning with the arrival of the Lakatois at the sun sets over Port Moresby and Ela Beach. The highlight of the HMF will be crowning of the Hiri Hanenamo (Hiri Queen).
Media Coordinator/ TPA Board Secretary : Colin Taimbari
For further information, contact the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s
Phone: +675 320 0211 email: info@papuanewguinea.travel
The Varirata National Park recently opened their new Information Centre at Sogeri outside of Port Moresby. The modern information centre will enhance visitors experience to the nature park. The park is already popular with schools excursions, bird watching, weekend outings for city residents and nature tours. PNGTPA is a partner in the development of the Variarata National Park through setting up of signboards and working with JICA to develop bird watching attractions in the nature park.
Media Coordinator/ TPA Board Secretary : Colin Taimbari
For further information, contact the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s
Phone: +675 320 0211 email: info@papuanewguinea.travel
TPA Chief Executive Officer Mr Jerry Agus accompanied by TPA Board Secretary Mr Colin Taimbari attended the official launch of the 2019 Year of Tourism for China and Pacific Island Countries amid fanfare and fireworks in Apia, Samoa.
The 2019 Year of Tourism for China and Pacific Islands Countries was as a direct result of APEC Port Moresby 2018 where Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pacific Island Leaders and made a commitment to develop tourism among others. In his congratulatory message delivered at the launch in Samoa by China’s Minister for Culture and Tourism Mr Luo Shugang, President Xi Jinping said the launch opens a new chapter of ties between China and Pacific Island counties.
Representing the South Pacific Tourism Organisation member countries’ Samoa’s acting Prime minister Ms Fiame Naomi Mataafa sad it was a milestone achievement and offers a great opportunity for Pacific Island countries to showcase to China what the Pacific Island countries have to offer with their stunning natural landscapes, sandy beaches, unique culture and friendly people.
“China-Pacific Tourism Year 2019 also reflects, how we as leaders of the region, have placed value on the thriving Asian outbound tourism markets particularly China with the world’s largest outbound market of around 140 million visitors last year,” she said.
Increasingly, Chinese travellers are looking for new destinations and experiences and the Pacific island region is still an untapped destination. she added.
Mr Agus said at the launch, the Government and people of Papua New Guinea were ready to partner with China and fellow Pacific Island countries to develop tourism in the region.Earlier, in the day, the PNG TPA team had one-on-one business meetings with major tourism industry players and senior government officials from the Peoples Republic of China.The challenge for Pacific Islands States now is to be China-Ready if we are to reap any benefits from this initiative.
Media Coordinator/ TPA Board Secretary : Colin Taimbari
For further information, contact the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s on email: info@papuanewguinea.travel
Papua New Guinea is now an official destination page on TripAdvisor accumulating over 150,000 page views since partnering in 2018.
TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel online site influencing about 433 million trips per year according to a 2018 Oxford Economics Study. As a global source of travel inspiration and encouragement using travel peer reviews and user generated content, TripAdvisor has encouraged travelers to take more trips by showing that there is much more to see and do in any destination.
The partnership the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority has established with TripAdvisor will enhance the current user generated content currently on the platform about the destination and encourage more travel in Papua New Guinea, by showcasing the incredible variety of travel options in the land of ‘A Million Different Journeys’.
Since beginning its partnership with TripAdvisor, Papua New Guinea’s destination page features campaign advertising plus a variety of interesting tailored content like ’10 Family-Friendly Activities’, ‘Outdoor Adventures Not to Miss’, ‘Port Moresby Foodies Favorite’s, ‘Papua New Guinea for Culture Lovers’ and more. Further to this, content translations have been done in Chinese, Japanese and German to capture the destination’s major non-English speaking tourism markets.
“Enhancing our destination’s online presence is one of our major marketing goals this year. We believe this can be achieved by working very closely with our industry to develop their online marketing”
“This year expect to see more holiday packages and tours available and bookable online via TripAdvisor. We want to show the world that Papua New Guinea is truly the land of ‘A Million Different Journeys’” said director marketing Ms. Alice Kuaningi.
PNG Tourism Promotion Authority will be conducting workshops with the tourism industry this year throughout various centers in the country to help them enhance their online marketing presence, encourage their engagement with TripAdvisor traveller reviews and developing bookable tours on the platform.
Since launching Papua New Guinea’s new travel website, PNGTPA is increasing its marketing reach online by ensuring the destination is visible on global travel platforms where travelers are searching, like TripAdvisor that influence travel.
PNGTPA will be working with the country’s tourism industry businesses and attractions featured on the platform, especially those that are not featured to enhance their presence on the site.
TripAdvisor launched its new social platform last year, and as a result PNGTPA will be looking at campaigns encouraging international and domestic travelers within the country to share their Papua New Guinea journeys and experiences on the platform.
Find out more about Papua New Guinea on TripAdvisor, visit: www.papuanewguinea.travel/plan-your-trip or visit www.tripadvisor.com
Staff Writer: Pauline Riman
For further information, contact the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s Marketing Division, email: marketing@papuanewguinea.travel
On his way to breaking a world record, instagrammer Daniel Herszberg is soon to be the second youngest person to have visited all the 195 countries of the world.
Daniel Herszberg, an Australian living in Hong Kong, has travelled the world and visited over a hundred different countries; Papua New Guinea being his 156th country. At 26 years of age, he aims to be the youngest traveler to visit all the countries of the world by 2020.
His instagram page @dhersz has over 12,000 followers with an engagement average of 800-1000 likes per post and a reach of over 5000+ – a large portion being travel savvy millenials much like himself.
“I’m completely in awe; Papua New Guinea is truly another world” he posted last week during his Goroka tour. His recent posts about Papua New Guinea have received a lot of positive comments – many of his fans asking about travel options in PNG, in which Daniel has been happy to provide as a travel ambassador on his one-week sojourn in the country.
On his Papua New Guinea journey, Daniel visited Goroka, Rabaul and Port Moresby. His Goroka tour being the most memorable as it was his dream to meet the legendary mud-men of the Asaro valley.
His tour guides in Goroka were expert local tour operators PNG Highlands Adventures who organized accommodation, tours and meals for Daniel – who is a vegetarian, and was pleased to savor the renowned fruits and vegetables of the Eastern Highlands.
On the next leg of his journey, Daniel spent two-nights in East New Britain at the highly acclaimed Rapopo Plantation Resort, taking in the many attractions of the Gazzelle Peninsula, especially the popular Mt. Tavurvur.
Back in the nation’s capital before he departs the country the following day, Daniel was treated to a guided tour of one of our country’s best tourist attractions – the Port Moresby Nature Park. He had the opportunity to meet some of the extraordinary wildlife residing at the Park, like the Birds of Paradise, the Guria Pigeons, the Tree Kangaroos and the Cassowaries.
The PNG Tourism Promotion Authority was happy to have Daniel Herszberg visit the country and experience some of the best destinations in the land of ‘A Million Different Journeys’.
Expect more exciting posts from Daniel on his instagram page www.instagram.com/dhersz. Stay tuned for photos from Daniel’s Goroka, Rabaul and Port Moresby tours on the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority travel consumer Facebook page “Visit Papua New Guinea” www.facebook.com/PNGTourismGlobal.
Staff Writer: Pauline Riman | Photos: Daniel Herszberg; Liebert Kirakar
For further information email marketing@papuanewguinea.travel
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
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