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The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) committed K50,000 towards the 51st Hiri Moale Festival during a cheque presentation on Thursday, March 13th, 2025, at the Motu Koita Assembly boardroom in Port Moresby.
Set to take place from April 3rd to 6th, the Hiri Moale Festival is one of Papua New Guinea’s most celebrated cultural events, honouring the historic Hiri trading voyages between the Motuans and Gulf people.
This year’s festival is expected to attract more than 15,000 attendees, drawing cultural enthusiasts from across the country and beyond.
Beyond the financial sponsorship, PNGTPA will collaborate with the Hiri Moale Festival Committee to capture high-quality photo and video content to promote the Hiri Motuan and Gulf cultures.
Motu Koita Assembly’s Manager & CEO, Mari Kila thanked TPA for its support.
“I’d like to thank TPA for its generous support towards the 51st Hiri Moale Festival. This support is vital in ensuring we deliver a successful event that honours our ancestors’ legacy while also providing opportunities for local artists, performers, and tourism operators.
TPA’s commitment strengthens our efforts to elevate the festival’s profile and show the unique traditions of the Motu Koita people to a broader audience,” said Kila.
TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo highlighted the importance of the festival.
“TPA is proud to support this year’s Hiri Moale Festival, as it reaffirms our commitment to preserving and promoting Papua New Guinea’s rich cultural heritage.
The Hiri Moale Festival is not just a celebration of history; it is a testament of the resilience and traditions of the Motu Koita people. As we approach the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary this year, this festival is one of those that shows our identity and the importance of cultural tourism,” said Uvovo.◼️
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The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), through its Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) and in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA), has published the 2024 Papua New Guinea Annual International Visitor Survey (IVS) Report. Covering the period from January to December 2024, the report provides critical insights into visitor demographics, spending patterns, and overall experiences of Papua New Guinea (PNG) international tourists. These findings will support evidence-based planning and enhance PNG’s tourism offerings to align with evolving visitor expectations.
SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker highlighted the significance of the PTDI in shaping sustainable tourism growth across the Pacific.
He said SPTO remains committed to working closely with TPA and other member countries to ensure the PTDI continues to deliver meaningful insights that drive sustainable tourism development across the Pacific.
“As the leading hub for Pacific tourism research, SPTO is committed to equipping our member countries, including PNG, with reliable data to inform strategic decisions. The PTDI is a vital resource that enables governments and industry stakeholders to make informed choices that strengthen regional tourism development,” he said.
TPA CEO Eric Mossman Uvovo acknowledged the value of the IVS findings, highlighting their role in improving visitor experiences and positioning PNG as a competitive destination.
“These insights are instrumental in shaping the future of tourism in PNG. We appreciate SPTO’s collaboration in delivering these reports, which will guide our strategies for sustainable tourism growth,” said Uvovo.
The survey ran from January to December 2024, analyzing 3,701 responses from 3,775 collected, with a 24% response rate. 42% of respondents were first-time visitors, with an average household income of USD 86,074.
Australia recorded the highest visitor arrivals into PNG at 39%, Asia at 35%, and Europe at 8%. The dominant age group was 40-59 years old. 48% traveled to PNG for business, 23% traveled for leisure and 18% visited PNG to visit friends and relatives (18%).
Key attractions included nature, cultural heritage, business opportunities, and family visits. World War II heritage sites were a major draw for historical tourism. Visitors appreciated the warmth and hospitality of the local people.
The average prepaid visitor spending was USD 2,613, with 65% (USD 1,699) benefiting the local economy. In-country spending averaged USD 1,385 per trip, with an average stay of 10.2 nights. Visitors contributed USD 309 million to PNG’s economy, a 9% increase from the previous year.
Overall satisfaction was 4 out of 5, with 86% recommending PNG and 89% willing to return. Visitors rated hospitality, tours, handicrafts, accommodation, and activities highly. Areas for improvement included safety, travel costs, domestic flights, infrastructure, cleanliness, and security.
Since transitioning to SPTO’s management in October 2023, the PTDI continues to serve as an essential resource for tourism data across the Pacific. Funded by the New Zealand Government, the PTDI supports ten Pacific Island nations—Cook Islands, Niue, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Kiribati, Timor Leste, and FSM-Yap—in evidence-based planning and decision-making. The initiative produces a bi-annual International Visitor Survey (IVS), an annual Business Confidence Index (BCI), and an annual Community Attitude Survey (CAS) report to strengthen regional tourism strategies.
To read the latest PTDI reports for PNG, click here: https://southpacificislands.travel/pacific-tourism-data-initiative/ptdi-reports-png/
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The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) officially signed a contract with Dustin Chen, a UK-based wildlife photographer, on Tuesday 11th March at the TPA office in Port Moresby to position the country as a premier global birding destination.
Renowned for his stunning photos of Papua New Guinea’s diverse avian life, TPA will engage Chen as a consultant for the development of Papua New Guinea’s National Birding Trail.
The agreement is set to run from April 18th, 2025, to April 18th, 2026, with TPA providing logistical support and funding.
Under the agreement, Chen will lead the identification and mapping of key bird-watching hotspots, conduct capacity-building programs for local birding guides, and contribute to the creation of high-quality visual content to enhance TPA’s marketing of this unique niche market to the world.
Chen has been instrumental in bringing international attention to Papua New Guinea’s extraordinary birdlife. His award-winning photograph, “Dance of the Flame Bird,” received high commendation in the ‘Behaviour: Birds’ category of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in 2022.
Capturing a male flame bowerbird in a captivating courtship display.
Through his extensive work, Chen has travelled to PNG many times to document the country’s birds, from the dense rainforests of Kiunga to other remote birding locations teeming with rare and endemic species. His expertise in the field will be crucial in shaping Papua New Guinea’s first structured National Birding Trail, aimed at attracting international birdwatchers and conservationists.
Chen highlighted the importance of the partnership with TPA.
“Based on my experience traveling across South America, Asia, and Africa, I am confident that PNG has the potential to become a leading destination for birding tourism.◼️
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The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) proudly celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) on Monday 11th March with a breakfast event, honouring the contributions of its female employees.
Thirty female staff members and their male colleagues celebrated this occasion demonstrating the organization’s inclusive work environment and the spirit of unity.
TPA’s Executive Manager for Corporate Affairs, Claire Kupo, delivered an inspiring message, emphasizing the importance of this year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Action.“
“Today, on International Women’s Day 2025, we get to honour the strength, resilience, and vision of the women of TPA and around the world. This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, is a call to move beyond words and ignite real change,” said Kupo.
Kupo also encouraged everyone to take bold steps in empowering women across all sectors, reinforcing the need for meaningful progress toward gender equality.
“Together, we can create an environment where innovation and progress thrive, where each act of support propels us towards a more inclusive future. When women step forward with courage, every challenge becomes an opportunity, and together, we turn dreams into unstoppable change,” said Kupo.
TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo, reiterated the organization’s commitment to promoting an equitable workplace.
“Equality is a strong driver behind TPA’s dynamic team. We take pride in the fact that more than 50% of our workforce is made up of talented and hardworking women. Their leadership, creativity, and dedication continue to propel PNG’s tourism sector forward,” said Uvovo.
The celebration concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, and a group photo to commemorate the occasion. Staff members were encouraged to wear purple—the symbolic colour of International Women’s Day—to show solidarity in advancing gender equality.◼️
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Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) and the Jimi District Development Authority (DDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday 11th October in Port Moresby to drive sustainable development and enhance tourism in the Jimi District of Jiwaka Province.
This partnership aims to strengthen the relationship between national, provincial, and district authorities, focusing on building capacity and providing material support for tourism-related projects. Both entities have committed to preserving Jimi District’s rich cultural heritage, while also improving infrastructure and promoting the area as one of the country’s key tourist destinations.
CEO of TPA, Eric Mossman Uvovo, praised the initiative.
“This MOU is important for TPA and Jimi DDA. It shows TPA’s commitment to protecting our people’s culture and promoting sustainable tourism by working with districts at the local level.
Jimi is a district with immense cultural and natural beauty, and we are excited to work together to build it into a tourism product. This partnership will contribute to the national tourism agenda and align with the government’s vision for 2050,” said Uvovo. The MOU is closely aligned with several national development plans, including Vision 2050, the Development Strategic Plan (DSP) 2010-2030, and the National Tourism Policy. It promotes the importance of provincial and district governments in protecting PNG’s cultural and natural heritage, a cornerstone for promoting sustainable tourism in the country.
Both parties have agreed to establish a Joint Milestones Matrix (JMM), which will outline annual targets and budget priorities, ensuring that progress is consistently reviewed and updated. PNGTPA will provide support and work closely with the district to ensure that all initiatives are community-focused and responsive to local needs.
The agreement also highlights the creation of a district-level data collection system, which will help monitor tourism trends, demographics, and cultural resources. By sharing this data, both TPA and the Jimi DDA aim to ensure that future tourism projects are based on accurate information and meet the needs of local communities.
Minister for Mining Member for Jimi Open Electorate & Chairman of Jimi District Development Authority, Hon. Wake Goi highlighted the importance of the MOU agreement for Jimi District.
“Through this landmark partnership, Jimi District will become a key tourism area in Papua New Guinea. Our collaboration with TPA is a start to a new chapter for the people of Jimi. This MOU is an approach that prioritizes environmental protection, and the active involvement of local communities in the decision-making process. I am committed to ensuring that this partnership leads to sustainable growth and more benefits for our district. I am excited for the opportunities this brings, not just for tourism, but for the development of my Jimi District and our future generations,” said Uvovo.◼️
📸 Above image: (L-R) Chairman of Jimi Marita Festival, Gabby Aipanga, Jimi District Administration’s (DDA) Finance Manager, Joseph Kala, Minister for Mining Member for Jimi Open Electorate & Chairman of Jimi District Development Authority, Hon. Wake Goi, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority’s (TPA) CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo and TPA’s Executive Manager for Partnership & Product Development, Kennewton Kennedy during the official signing of the MOU between TPA and Jimi DDA.
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The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), through its Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) and in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), has published two significant reports from the International Visitor Survey (IVS).
These reports, covering the periods of June 2023 to May 2024 and January to June 2024, provide essential data on visitor preferences, spending patterns, and overall experiences of international tourists to Papua New Guinea (PNG). The insights will support both SPTO and PNGTPA in understanding visitor behavior and improving tourism offerings to meet evolving demands.
PNGTPA Chief Executive Officer Eric Mossman Uvovo praised the collaboration with SPTO and the PTDI team, emphasizing the importance of the reports for shaping PNG’s tourism future.
“These reports offer invaluable insights that will help us enhance the visitor experience and strengthen PNG’s position as a unique tourism destination. We are thankful for SPTO’s ongoing support in delivering these surveys,” Uvovo said.
Key Findings from the reports reveal that business travel is the leading reason for visiting PNG, while cultural attractions such as traditional dances, food preservation techniques, and historic architecture are also key draws. The hospitality and warmth of the local people further elevate the visitor experience.
From June 2023 to May 2024, international visitors contributed an estimated USD 296 million to the PNG economy, highlighting tourism’s role in driving economic growth and supporting local businesses. This represents a 21% increase from the previous period, reflecting a strong recovery in the sector.
However, for the January to June 2024 period, visitors contributed an estimated USD 150 million, a notable 40% increase from the previous reporting period, highlighting the growing appeal of PNG as a travel destination and the continued economic impact of tourism. Visitor satisfaction remained high across both reports, with most respondents rating their experience as either “good” or “excellent.” The positive feedback highlights PNG’s appeal, especially its rich culture and warm hospitality.
SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker highlighted the value of the PTDI, a research project funded by the New Zealand Government, specifically designed to collect and report on tourism information.
“SPTO’s role as the leading hub for Pacific Tourism Research allows us to drive initiatives like the PTDI, offering crucial insights into tourism trends and impacts. We are committed to providing our member countries, including PNG, with the data necessary for promoting sustainable tourism growth,” Mr Cocker shared.
Since transitioning to SPTO’s management in October 2023, the PTDI continues to be an essential resource for tourism data across the Pacific. 10 Pacific Island nations -Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Kiribati, Timor Leste, and FSM-Yap, are in the PTDI project that is geared towards supporting evidence-based planning and decision-making. It includes the production of a bi-annual International Visitor Survey (IVS), an annual Business Confidence Index (BCI), and an annual Community Attitude Survey (CAS) report.◼️
For further information, email: info@papuanewguinea.travel
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