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Sydney, Australia – 8 April 2024: Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia have embarked on a collaborative endeavour to honour war memorials and enhance tourism prospects.
This initiative follows a Memorandum of Agreement signed last year 2023 between the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), National Capital District Commission (NCDC), and Canada Bay City Council in Sydney.
A significant discussion has been initiated among the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, NCDC, and Canada Bay City Council in Sydney to jointly develop war memorial sites in Port Moresby.
This collaborative effort aims to honour war legacies and promote War Pilgrimage as a prominent tourist attraction, akin to the renowned Kokoda Trail trekking experience.
The initiative is spearheaded by Canada Bay City Council, PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, NCDC, and Network Kokoda Australia.
Driven by a vision to preserve the lessons of World War II, Canada Bay City Council has invested substantially in projects such as the Kokoda Trail Memorial Walkway.
This collaboration aims to strengthen bonds between nations, including the United States and Japan, while emphasizing the historical significance of the Kokoda Campaign to both Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Through this partnership, historic sites in NCD, including Paga Hill, Wardstrip, and Sabama, will undergo development, eventually extending into Central and Oro Provinces with support from provincial governments and Network Kokoda Australia.
Under the agreement, both nations will jointly develop war memorial sites in Port Moresby, reflecting their shared commitment to preserving the legacies of the Second World War and promoting the War Pilgrimage as a prominent tourist attraction, akin to the renowned Kokoda Trail trekking experience.
This trip seeks to establish a work plan for 2024-2025 to develop war memorial sites and promote war pilgrimages in NCD, Central, and Oro Provinces, with the ultimate goal of creating a tourist product stretching from Paga Hill to Buna.
A stakeholders’ meeting, scheduled during this trip, will bring together participants across Australia to garner support for the initiative. Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon. Isi Henry Leonard, MP, and NCD Governor, Hon. Powes Parkop, MP, LLB, LLM, will address the stakeholders and finalize the work plan for implementation. Plans also include the establishment of Network Kokoda PNG and pushing for the transfer of the Kokoda Track Authority to PNGTPA.
“The collaboration between PNG and Australia to develop war memorials and promote tourism is a testament to the enduring friendship between our nations and the shared commitment to honouring our war heroes. This initiative will not only preserve historical legacies but also create opportunities for economic growth, education, and cultural exchange,” said NCD Governor, Hon. Powes Parkop, MP, LLB, LLM.
The visit to Sydney marks a pivotal step in solidifying the partnership between PNG and Australia. Through joint efforts, both nations aim to create a lasting legacy that honours the sacrifices of past generations while paving the way for a brighter future through tourism, education, and cultural exchange.
This collaborative endeavour underscores the importance of international cooperation in preserving historical narratives and fostering mutual understanding.
The PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) has partnered with the PNG Tourism Industry Association (PNG TIA) to boost membership for 2023.
In joint efforts to build back the tourism industry better after the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, PNGTPA has provided a 50,000 Kina subsidy to the association for 2023 membership fees. Under the subsidy, past and current members pay 30% while PNGTPA pays 70% of the total membership fees.
Other interested members of the Tourism & Hospitality Industry are encouraged to also register. Since the promotion of membership drive, registered members for 2023 have risen to 35 registered members. This is a good indication shown by the industry members about their commitment to build back better post COVID-19. We expect more tourism industry operators to register before end of April with the aim of having about 100 members registered. All visitors wishing to book a tour, accommodation or host an event, can check our social media page and website for a full listing of registered members. Members of the public, visitors, tourists are encouraged to book tours services, accommodation and other related services with PNGTIA registered members.
Mr. Eric Uvovo, CEO of PNGTPA acknowledges our Tourism Industry members as key partners, “Tour Operators, Guest Houses, Hotels, Restaurants, Transport Services, Airlines, Attractions, Museums, Festivals and others offer specific services to leisure travellers, tourists, visitors, the public as well as Business Travelers who have the option of extending their trip to experience the destination of their choice. Through such a recognised and registered membership with PNGTIA, TPA will be able to promote each business as well as invite participation at upcoming, events, trade shows, training, conferences and participate also in the subsidized travel packages.”
Mr Alois Mateos, President of TIA thanked PNGTPA saying, “The PNG TPA is the national tourism office responsible for tourism development, marketing and promoting PNG as a desirable tourist destination. This gesture by TPA is very much appreciated by the industry members and we thank those who have utilised this subsidy to renew their membership. Under the subsidy, Associate Members pay 120 Kina while Corporate Members pay 240 Kina only. We encourage those members who have not yet renewed their membership to utilise this subsidy and join the association before the end of April 2023 to benefit from shared PNGTPA and TIA programs”.
The PNGTIA is a peak body for the tourism industry in PNG. It is a platform for tourism sector operators to come together and form one collective voice. It is the only professional, non-profit peak body that brings together all actors in the tourism value chain.
For more details regarding the subsidy program or related membership queries, contact the PNG Tourism Industry Association on Ph: 320 0211, extn 260 or email: manager@pngtia.org or tourismindustryassociation.png@gmail.com.
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority hosted its first Implementation Steering Committee Meeting for the recently launched Tourism Sector Development Plan 2022-2026 on the 29th June 2022, at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby.
The Chief Executive Officer Mr. Eric Mossman Uvovo, chaired the inaugural meeting in the presence of 16 organisation representatives to deliberate on the purpose, functions and reporting mechanisms of the TSDP-ISC.
The Implementation Steering Committee (ISC) is the highest working committee that is designed to coordinate all tourism related agendas pursued under the various sub working committees that exist within the sector for national prioritization and development in Papua New Guinea.
The CEO provided his welcome remarks and invited organisations to become members of the ISC to help contribute to the implementation of the TSDP and to grow the industry in the next five years amidst the global pandemic.
Some of the work that will need to be done under the ISC include;
Mr. Uvovo further stated that through collaboration at the TSDP-ISC level, this will enable PNGTPA as the lead sector agency to steer the development of the national tourism industry products and services to a level that is globally and regionally competitive.
The ISC plans to meet quarterly and envisions more organisations to join in the membership to provide sound advice and judgement for all tourism related matters that are escalated at the high level.
All provincial governments have been urged by the CEO to take ownership of the new tourism plan by participating in the ISC in order to ensure that the national plan cascades down to the provincial level through the setup of provincial ISCs as well. The Provincial-ISCs will be utilised to inform the national TSDP ISC as a reporting mechanism for all tourism initiatives and issues encountered in the provinces.
The CEO also stated that stakeholder partnerships with the private sector will also be prioritised to ensure that plan achieves its full potential.
PNGTPA has extended invitation to all other government agencies and private sector stakeholders who would like to be a part of the committee to express their interests to the PNGTPA Division of Policy and Planning for consideration and partnership.
Image: Official launching of the Papua New Guinea Tourism Sector Development Plan 2022-2026. Official guest of honor Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP.
For further information, email: policy@papuanewguinea.travel
THE Papua New Guinea Investment Forum on Ecotourism and Connectivity successfully concluded on Friday, 14th January 2022, at the Expo2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This was the third investment forum hosted by the Papua New Guinea Expo Team focused on promoting investment opportunities in PNG’s Eco-tourism and ICT sectors. The Forum ran parallel with Expo2020’s thematic week of ‘Travel and Connectivity’.
The Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Hon. Timothy Masiu, officially opened the PNG Investment Forum, thanking the UAE Government for the tremendous support given to Papua New Guinea in ensuring its inclusive participation at the World Expo in Dubai.
Minister Masiu commended the theme of the Expo2020 Dubai, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, and lauded the global event for championing ideas and innovations to facilitate sustainable trade and investment opportunities, including cultural exchanges that Papua New Guinea considers important to its economic development.
In his speech, Minister Masiu highlighted the need for developing Papua New Guinea’s tourism and ICT infrastructure,
“Papua New Guinea needs integrated tourism, visitor connectivity and infrastructure system. Investors and experts are needed to help plan and deliver a connectivity system in a sustainable way for Papua New Guinea.”
Hon. Masiu emphasised, “Partnerships are also needed for mutual gains, and such plans should be carried out in consideration of the environment, and in line with the country’s sub-theme at the Expo2020, ‘Connecting Minds and Creating Opportunities in Sustainable Development.” The PNG Investment Forum on Ecotourism and Connectivity was also officiated by the UAE Secretary-General and Chairman of the UAE Chamber of Commerce, H.E. Humaid Ben Salem.
In his speech, H.E. Salem spoke of the PNG Roundtable Discussion on Education, Science and Green Economy, which he attended last month – also hosted by the PNG Expo team. He spoke of the diverse ecotourism experiences that the UAE shared with PNG, and affirmed technological innovations and infrastructure were key to economic development, and that partnerships were possible through continued communication and cooperation.
The CEO of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Mr. Eric Uvovo, concluded the keynote addresses of the Forum with an overview of the unique tourism potential that Papua New Guinea had to offer, and the immense opportunity for investment.
Mr. Uvovo stated that PNG TPA will be working with the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority and Department of Foreign Affairs to make it easier for UAE citizens to travel to PNG, especially looking into travel visas and developing tour packages for the Arab tourism market.
There were a variety of presentations delivered at the Forum from Papua New Guinea tourism businesses and organisations – including Immigration Authority, Air Niugini, Trans Niugini Tours, Walindi Plantation Resort, the Enga Show Committee, Vanimo Surf Lodge, as well as the PNG Business Council. Participants also had the opportunity to discover the technological tools members of the UAE tourism industry were using to promote their products, especially from Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority, and the Louvre Museum of Abu Dhabi.
The third PNG Investment Forum had over 30 participants in attendance, many joined in virtually, connecting from Papua New Guinea, Australia, the United States, Europe and within the United Arab Emirates. The PNG Expo Team is now preparing for the 4th PNG Investment Forum, which will coincide with the Expo2020 thematic week addressing the global challenge of Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods.
For more information visit the PNG World Expo 2020 website for updates.
Pictured: (L-R) H.E. Mr. Joshua Kalinoe, Ambassador of Papua New Guinea to Belgium; H.E. Humaid Ben Salem, UAE Secretary-General and Chairman of the UAE Chamber of Commerce; Hon. Timothy Masiu, Minister for Information and Communications Technology; H.E Amna Saber Aldhanhani Vice Chairman of the Board of Fujairah Tourism & Antiquities Authority; Mr. Sajith Kumar, PK, CEO, IBMC International and Resident Advisor to the Embassy of PNG, Brussels, on Trade and Investment.
Pictured: H.E. Humaid Ben Salem, UAE Secretary-General and Chairman of the UAE Chamber of Commerce; and Hon. Timothy Masiu, Minister for Information and Communications Technology
PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) in partnership with the National Statistical Office (NSO) successfully completed and released the first Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) report for Papua New Guinea.
Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) is the standard United Nations (UN), approved method of measuring the direct contribution of tourism consumption to a national economy. TPA, with the technical support from NSO and external TSA experts has successfully completed the project on time.
Tourism will now be measured in the official economic statistics as the first TSA identifies tourism’s direct contribution to the GDP and compare with other economic sectors in the country.
The successful implementation of the first TSA comes after TPA and NSO officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier in 2021 to share data and develop the first TSA for Papua New Guinea.
This first TSA was developed with the available data and it will provide a good baseline to produce the next TSA, going forward.
Click to download PNG’s First Tourism Satellite Account Report
Find out: What is a Tourism Satellite Account
For further information, please email the Marketing Research and Statistics Unit of the Tourism Promotion Authority: research.statistics@papuanewguinea.travel
Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive officer Jerry Agus wants the Papua New Guinea media to tell the best stories about our beautiful country to the world.
He said this when hosting a media get-together in Port Moresby, Friday 31st May 2019.
Veteran journalist Frank Kolma said the onus was upon every journalist “to stand for our country and to promote our country”.
“Tourism is an industry that is completely different from other industries within the country,” Agus said.
“The success of the industry in the country does not depend on how good the CEO is, how good the management is, or how good the tourism industry is.
“Tourism is an industry that cuts across different sectors.
“Tourism depends on good roads and bridges out there, good airports and airstrips out there, jetties and wharves we have, flight connectivity, taxi drivers, waiters and waitresses working in every hotel, customer services provided by flight attendants on aircraft.
“If you look at it, the tourism experience depends on the whole range of people.
“If one person doesn’t do his part, then the entire experience is spoiled.”
Agus said that was why the TPA tried to engage with all key stakeholders to embrace the importance of tourism.
“If everyone can work together, then we can see that tourism in the country grows,” he said.
“If everyone thinks that tourism growth depends entirely on Tourism Promotion Authority, it will never work.
“In order to deliver on our mandate to market and promote tourism, as a desired tourism destination overseas, we try our best to engage with so many people.”
Agus said this was where the media came in.
“As we all know, media plays a very important part in terms of influencing a lot of decisions out there,” he said.
“Media can spoil people, even colour a criminal as a good person, it can influence lot of things.
“Tourism is very important, but because of selling papers or attracting more viewers, you forget the tourism part of it.
“This country called Papua New Guinea is a country that you and I belong to.
“We will never be Australians, we will never be New Zealanders, we will never be Americans, no matter how hard we try.
“Papua New Guinea is our country, so we have got to have that at the back of our minds.
“Negative stories like rape, murder, tribal fighting attract people to the media.
“We must not forget that now, in this digital world we are living in, the news that you put up will go viral and lot of people overseas will read your stories.
“If we get a lot of negative stories out, it will affect the image of this country.
“At the moment, one of the impediments to tourists coming to Papua New Guinea is the negative image perception.
“Some people think that upon arrival at Jackson (International Airport), you will be killed.
“That’s the perception out there.”
Agus urged the media to “improve the image of this country”.
“Papua New Guinea is not ‘very dangerous’,” he said.
“There are a lot of dangerous countries out there where tourists go and visit.
“We don’t have terrorists, we don’t have car bombings, but people think that this country is ‘very dangerous’.
“It’s not.
“Whatever you report, remember that what you report may have negative implications.
“This is our country, we were born here and we will die here, so we all have to work together to promote our country.”
Agus urged reporters that when traveling, especially to a province out of Port Moresby, “you should write about the beauty of that particular province”.
“You could stay in a very good guest house, or you might go to an island with white, sandy beaches,” he said.
“You could write about that.”
Kolma said: “We all have a duty to stand for our country first and to defend it, in every profession that we have.
“We need to all promote our country, in whatever way we can.”
Writer: Malum Nalu
For further information, email PNGTPA media coordinator Mr. Colin Taimbari: colin.taimbari@papuanewguinea.
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.
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
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
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.