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Frequently Asked Questions

PNG Tourism Sector Legislation Review Consultations

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Important Reads

Zero Draft Bill
Tourism Promotion Authority Act 1993
National Tourism Policy 2025 - 2045
Summary: Gap Analysis Findings TPA Act

national consultation review

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) is undertaking a national consultation process to review the Tourism Promotion Authority Act 1993 (The Act). 

This is part of the authority’s policy, legislative and institutional reforms that started in 2023, with the gap analysis of the legislation, formulation of the Zero draft of the tourism bill in 2024, endorsement and launch of the National Tourism Policy 2025-2045 in 2025 and now the tourism sector legislation consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Throughout the nationwide consultations on the review of Papua New Guinea’s tourism legislation, many important questions have been raised by industry stakeholders, provincial representatives, landowners, community leaders, and members of the public.

This section compiles some of the most frequently asked questions that emerged during the consultation workshops and townhall discussions held across the country. The responses provided aim to clarify key aspects of the legislation review process, explain the purpose of the proposed reforms, and address common concerns raised by participants.

These FAQs are intended to help stakeholders better understand the review and provide clear information on how the proposed changes may strengthen and support the development of Papua New Guinea’s tourism sector.

1. What is the main purpose of this consultative workshop?
  • To consult stakeholders throughout Papua New Guinea on the review of the Tourism Promotion Authority Act 1993. 
  • To re-align the tourism legislation with the new 20‑year National Tourism Policy (2025–2045).
  • To gather practical feedback from operators, provincial administrations, and other stakeholders before finalizing a new PNG Tourism Bill. 
  • It is over 30 years old and considered outdated. 
  • Tourism has changed significantly (digital platforms, social media, e‑commerce, new market trends, etc.).  
  • The current Act mainly focuses on promotion and development; and
  • The review aims to give TPA regulatory powers.
  • A 20‑year policy framework launched in November 2025.  
  • It sets the vision, priorities and direction for tourism in PNG.  
  • It is structured around: 
    • 5 cross‑cutting themes: 
      • Environmental sustainability  
      • Cultural heritage preservation & protection  
      • Empowerment of resource custodians & landowners  
      • Inclusive economic growth (urban & rural Papua New Guineans)  
      • Resilience building (climate, disasters, health & economic shocks) 
  •  
    • 10 enabling functions, including: 
      • Tourism sector governance  
      • Air connectivity  
      • Hub‑based destination development  
      • Niche visitor experiences (dive, culture, adventure, wartime history, birding, etc.)  
      • Investment in tourism supply (including PNG investors)  
      • Public infrastructure  
      • Industry standards  
      • Workforce development  
      • Destination marketing  
      • Visitor safety & security 
  • Total arrivals in 2025: ~130,000 visitors.  
  • Pre‑COVID peak (2019): ~208,000 visitors.  
  • The 130,000 figure is seen as a strong recovery after COVID.  
  • Main purpose of visit: 
    • Employment & business (largest share)  
    • Holiday (about 15% of visitors, but with big growth potential) 
  • The sector is considered to be “only scratching the surface” of its potential. 
  • Will expand from being  a marketing/promotion authority to becoming a destination management authority with:
    • Regulatory powers 
    • Destination management responsibilities 
  • Destination management covers: 
    • Planning  
    • Development  
    • Marketing  
    • Delivery (quality of the experience)  
    • Monitoring & reporting (including return on investment) 
  • A new framework to raise and standardize quality, safety and sustainability across PNG tourism. 
  • Intentions: 
    • Make PNG competitive in the Pacific region and globally  
    • Align with international standards (ISO) for tourism and related services  
    • Address inconsistent quality across operators and provinces  
    • Increase investor and travel trade confidence
    • Boost traveller confidence into Papua New Guinea 
  • It will: 
    • Create a National Tourism Standards Task Force/Committee led by PNGTPA in collaboration with NISIT and sector representatives.  
    • Adopt and contextualize ISO standards (e.g. for accommodation, adventure tourism safety, terminology, quality management, environmental management, OH&S).  
    • Set minimum standards for: 
      • Accommodation    
      • Transport  
      • Food & beverage  
      • Handicrafts  
      • Attractions and tourism assets  
      • Leisure, Excursions and Tours
      • Support Services 
  • Standards are not only about safety and quality; they also: 
    • Encourage promotion of PNG’s cultural identity in products and services.  
    • Aim to ensure: 
      • Menus feature local food alongside Western/Asian options.  
      • Visitors experience visible PNG culture at: 
      • Airports  
      • Accommodation  
      • Transport  
      • Markets  
      • Attractions 
  • The framework seeks to preserve authenticity, not “water it down”. 
  1. Preliminary
    1. Standard legal definitions and introductory clauses
  2. Administration
    1. Establishes the PNG Tourism Authority (replacing TPA as purely promotional body)
    2. Sets out:
      1. Powers & functions (including regulatory powers)
      2. Board composition and appointments
      3. CEO and staff provisions
    3. Establishes a Tourism Advisory Council (technical/stakeholder forum)
  3. Finances
    1. How the Authority:
      1. Receives funds (budget, grants, etc.)
      2. Manages and spends its finances, subject to public finance laws
  4. Regulatory Control (core new area)
    1. National Tourism Register & Database for operators, services, and statistics
    2. Tourism services:
      1. Categories of services
      2. Registration, licensing, accreditation framework
    3. Tourism products:
      1. Categories of products
      2. Registration, licensing, accreditation framework
    4. Special provisions for:
      1. Iconic tourism products (e.g. Kokoda Track; potential for Mt Hagen Cultural Show)
      2. Foreign entities (overseas tour operators selling PNG)
  5. Promotion and Development
    1. Retains and strengthens TPA’s current promotion/development role
    2. Adds:
      1. Investment in tourism industry
      2. Special purpose vehicles
      3. Investment partnerships on behalf of communities and sector
  6. Compliance and Enforcement
    1. Powers to:
      1. Inspect, investigate, request information
      2. Issue notices and sanctions
    2. Authorized officers, with potential delegation to provinces for local enforcement
    3. Offences and penalties for:
      1. Operating without proper registration/license
      2. Breaching conditions or standards
  7. Miscellaneous
    1. Matters such as:
      1. Regulation‑making powers (detailed rules under the Act)
      2. Administrative details for the authority’s operation
  8. Final & Transitional Provisions
    1. How to transition from the 1993 Act to the new Act
    2. Ensures TPA continues to operate legally during changeover
    3. Repeals the current Tourism Promotion Authority Act 1993
  • Tourism sites/events of national or global significance that can be formally declared by the Tourism Authority.  
  • Examples mentioned: 
    • Kokoda Track (existing, well-known example).  
    • Mt Hagen Cultural Show (raised as a strong potential candidate for Western Highlands / Highlands region). 
  • Declaration as “iconic” allows: 
    • Targeted marketing and promotion 
    • Focused support and investment  
    • Stronger protection and standards around these products. 
  • Foreign entities selling PNG tourism:
    • Must register with IPA and the PNG Tourism Authority
    • Must comply with the same licensing and accreditation framework
    • Will need to operate accounts in PNG, so:
      • Revenue is captured in-country
      • Local partners and communities get fairer benefits
  • Obligations:
    • Registration under the new authority
    • Meeting minimum standards for safety, quality, and sustainability
    • Possible licensing/accreditation depending on activity
  • Benefits:
    • More credible and consistent national standards (better marketing and trust)
    • Clearer pathways to grow from MSME → larger operators
    • Improved investor and market confidence (more bookings, partnerships)
    • Stronger role for provinces and communities in regulated, supported tourism
  • Fees will be set within maximum limits in Schedule 1:
    • For example:
      • Registration fees “not exceeding” a specified cap (e.g., 1,000 Kina)
      • License application fees “not exceeding” a higher cap (e.g., 10,000 Kina)
    • Actual fees (e.g., 20 Kina, 200 Kina, 500 Kina) will be:
      • Determined by the Authority below those caps
      • The caps are upper limits only
  • Provinces and stakeholders are being consulted on the Bill
  • The Bill provides for provinces to:
    • Be authorized officers for local inspections and enforcement
    • Participate in the Tourism Advisory Council and Standards Task Force
    • Help identify:
      • Local tourism services/products that need to be regulated
      • Potential iconic products
      • Local issues, gaps, and solutions
  • Collect written and verbal feedback on the zero draft PNG Tourism Authority Bill from participants and compile the consultation report.
  • Refine the bill based on provincial consultations.  
  • Define the lists of tourism services and products that require registration, licensing, or accreditation (bill schedules).  
  • Draft detailed regulations (implementation rules) for the new Act. 
  • Validation and finalisation (Certificate of Necessity and Certificate of Compliance).
  • Eventually, take the refined bill to Parliament for enactment. 
  • Establish the National Tourism Standards Task Force and begin: 
    • Selecting priority ISO standards  
    • Contextualizing them for PNG  
    • Having them endorsed by NISIT. 
  • To position PNG as a quality‑assured, safe and sustainable tourism destination, recognized in: 
    • The Pacific region; and  
    • Global markets. 
  • To move from “just promotion” to full destination management with: 
    • Clear standards and enforcement  
    • Strong partnerships between national, provincial, and private sector stakeholders  
    • Inclusive benefits for Papua New Guineans, especially local resource custodians and communities. 
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23-25 February, 2026

NATIONAL CAPITAL DISTRICT

2-4 March, 2026

Milne
Bay Province

9-11 March, 2026

Southern
highlands Province

12-13 March, 2026

Western Highlands Province

16-18 March, 2026

Eastern Highlands Province

20-24 March, 2026

Morobe Province

27-31 March, 2026

West
Sepik Province

7-10 April, 2026

East New Britain Province

13-14 April, 2026

New Ireland Province

16-17 April, 2026

Aut. region of bougainville

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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 AuthorityEmail Signature Png Tslrc

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