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Papua New Guinea’s distinctive culture, natural beauty and adventure experiences were showcased to thousands of travellers and tourism industry representatives at the Travel Madness Expo 2026 in Manila, Philippines.
Held from 10–12 July at the SMX Convention Center, the three-day event brought together airlines, tourism organisations, travel agencies, hotels and tour operators from around the world.
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) participated alongside Air Niugini and Karanas Comfort Tours, a PNG tour operator, to strengthen awareness of the country as a unique travel destination and expand its presence within the growing Asian tourism market.
Throughout the expo, visitors to the Papua New Guinea booth learned about the country’s rich cultural heritage, pristine natural environments, world-class diving, trekking, birdwatching and other authentic visitor experiences. Representatives from PNGTPA, Air Niugini and Karanas Comfort Tours engaged directly with visitors, providing information on destinations, air services, tour packages and travel experiences available across Papua New Guinea.
PNGTPA Executive Manager for Marketing and Promotions, Mr Joel Keimelo, said the expo provided an important opportunity to present Papua New Guinea directly to travellers and tourism partners in the Philippines.
“Papua New Guinea offers experiences that are genuinely distinctive—from our extraordinary cultures and landscapes to our diving, trekking, birdwatching and community-based tourism experiences. Our participation in the Travel Madness Expo allows us to share these stories directly with the Asian market and build stronger relationships with travellers and industry partners who are looking for authentic and meaningful destinations,” Mr Keimelo said.
The participation of Karanas Comfort Tours provided visitors with direct access to a locally based tourism operator, helping connect destination promotion with practical information about tours and travel experiences within Papua New Guinea.
Adding colour and energy to PNG’s presence was the Galomarubu Kitoro Cultural Group from Central Province, whose performances captivated audiences on the expo’s main stage and at the PNG booth.
Their traditional dances attracted enthusiastic crowds, with visitors gathering to take photographs and learn more about the country’s diverse cultures and traditions.
The expo’s official opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Papua New Guinea’s Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Stephen Pokanis, and Air Niugini Regional Manager Asia, Mr Joshua Koh, together with other dignitaries and tourism industry leaders.
Mr Koh said participation in major tourism events throughout Asia was critical to building destination awareness and generating interest in travel to Papua New Guinea.
“Asia continues to be an important growth market for both Air Niugini and Papua New Guinea. Events such as the Travel Madness Expo provide valuable opportunities to engage directly with travellers, travel agents and industry partners, helping us tell Papua New Guinea’s story and showcase the incredible experiences available in our country,” Mr Koh said.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Milne, reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to supporting the growth of PNG’s tourism industry and strengthening connectivity with important international markets.
“Tourism is an important contributor to economic growth and employment in Papua New Guinea. Air Niugini is proud to work alongside the PNGTPA and our tourism industry partners to position the country as a must-visit destination,” Mr Milne said.
Following the Travel Madness Expo, Air Niugini and PNGTPA will continue promoting Papua New Guinea in Asia, with travel trade and consumer events scheduled for Singapore in August and Hong Kong in September.
These activities form part of continuing efforts to strengthen international tourism partnerships, increase destination awareness and encourage more travellers to experience Papua New Guinea’s extraordinary culture, nature, adventure and hospitality.◼️
For further information, email: joel.keimelo@papuanewguinea.travel
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) launched its Hello Poro Tourism Campaign alongside the 50th Independence Destination Tour Packages on Friday 5 September 2025 at Kwalimu Haus, Waigani in Port Moresby.
The launch, held as part of the nation’s 50th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations, is a part of TPA’s initiative to encourage Papua New Guineans to explore their own home.
The Hello Poro Campaign is a storytelling-driven media initiative that will highlight Mt. Hagen, Kavieng, Port Moresby, and Wewak as hero destinations through TPA’s social media reels, YouTube content and booking-enabled websites.
Alongside the campaign, the 50th Independence Tour Packages will offer ten curated four-day packages across the four main tourism regions, each subsidised by 50 per cent to make travel more affordable and accessible. Partner operators include Buna Treks & Tours, Paiya Tours, Bougainville Experience, PNG Tour Guide, and others who are collaborating with PNGTPA to deliver these experiences.
These initiatives are expected to drive higher visitation during the Independence period from September to December 2025, increase visibility for local operators and SMEs, strengthen domestic tourism habits, engage communities in showing PNG’s culture and history Speaking at the event, TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo said the initiatives reflect TPA’s
commitment to strengthening the tourism brand, boosting visitor engagement, supporting SMEs, and encouraging greater domestic travel.
“Tourism tells the story of who we are as Papua New Guineans – diverse, united, and welcoming. Hello Poro shows our people, our culture, and our destinations with authenticity and pride, while the subsidised Independence Tour Packages ensure that more people, both here at home and abroad, can share in these experiences. This is an investment in our long-term growth as a tourism nation,” said Uvovo.
The launch event featured remarks from industry representatives, media partners, and tourism operators. Guests were treated to a preview of the campaign video, a showcase of the subsidised tour packages, entertainment by Wan Squad, and a prize draw.◼️
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More than 20 years of photography of Papua New Guinea has been captured in a new book released this week as part of the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Australian photographer David Kirkland has published Papua New Guinea – The Last Great Frontier, his sixth book on the country since he began capturing promotional photographs for the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) back in the early 2000s.
Kirkland highlighted the significance of PNG’s unique culture.
“It’s been one of my great privileges to return to this country frequently over the years and capture photographs that have been used to promote PNG worldwide.
To me, this country has always been The Last Great Frontier – an exceptional experience for the adventurous traveller. No where else in the world – and I’ve travelled it widely – offers such a spectacular array of culture and colour. And, in all the time I’ve travelled the country, I’ve only ever been welcomed by the friendliest of people,” said Kirkland.
According to Kirkland, his new book is the most prestigious publication he’s ever produced to reflect the status of the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
“It’s a large coffee table book – twice the size of my earlier books – which includes the best 150 photographs I’ve captured from throughout the country. I’d like to think it’s a unique testament to the country’s beauty, its tremendous cultural diversity, and the changes that have taken place since I first wandered the highlands around the time of the Mt Kare gold rush.
Since I arrived here, I’ve been working closely with the TPA which has been an exceptional partner. A member of its staff has travelled with me over the length and breadth of the country ensuring the images we captured appealed to the markets likely to be interested in the experience offered by PNG”, said Kirkland.
He also added that the book draws attention to what he considers to be the fragility of Papua New Guinea’s rich traditional culture.
“Papua New Guinea is changing rapidly. It has moved from the stone-age to the space age in less than a lifetime, and I fear much of its traditional culture – the thread that links generations – is being lost in the process”, he said.
I’d like to think my book draws attention to both the value, and vulnerability, of traditional practices in this country,” said Kirkland.
Coinciding with the release of the book, 150 large photographic prints by the photographer are being hung as a permanent collection throughout PNG’s K665 million Waigani Court Precinct.
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) has secured more than 1,000 copies of renowned photographer David Kirkland’s newly released book, Papua New Guinea – The Last Great Frontier.
The acquisition will support its promotional efforts locally and abroad, providing a powerful visual tool to inspire travel and highlight PNG as a unique destination for adventurous travellers.
TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo commended Kirkland on his new publication and he highlighted the importance of capturing PNG’s rich culture through photography.
“This publication is a visual chronicle of Papua New Guinea’s journey over the decades. As we celebrate 50 years of nationhood, David Kirkland’s work captures the essence of our people, culture, and natural beauty that continue to inspire travellers from around the world.
For over 20 years, David Kirkland has been one of our strongest partners in sharing Papua New Guinea’s story with the world. His lens has helped position our country as The Last Great Frontier, a destination for those seeking adventure, authenticity, and cultural richness,” said Uvovo.◼️
For more information, email: info@papuanewguinea.travel
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Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) strongly condemns the recent attack on tourists at Roku Beach, Central Province, including the brutal killings in the Upper Highlands region, and the kidnapping of a helicopter crew in the Hela Province.
These heinous acts not only devastate communities and local service providers but also have significant repercussions on the tourism sector in Papua New Guinea.
“PNG has faced a torrent of negative publicity, not only from these incidents, but also from the ‘Black Wednesday’ civil unrest that caused an inferno of international media coverage casting a shadow over the entire country, and painting an inaccurate picture of Papua New Guinea as an unsafe destination for travellers,” says Mr. Eric Uvovo, CEO of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority.
Since the January 2024 riots, the PNGTPA research team have been monitoring travel advisories and media coverage from key source markets, and reports show that Papua New Guinea has since been flagged as an extremely high security-risk destination, particularly for travellers from America, Australia and China.
The tourism industry is already being affected by the publicity concerning the burgeoning law and order issues in the country. Two major cruise liners expected to visit the country this year, had to cancel their PNG cruise itineraries due to the January civil riots and looting.
“In light of the serious law-and-order issues traumatizing our country’s economy, we seek immediate intervention by the PNG Government to curb the surge in violent crimes. Normalcy must be restored to encourage consumer confidence in PNG as a tourist destination. Papua New Guineans must also be responsible law-abiding citizens, demonstrating respect, duty-of-care and national pride – all this contributes to a safer society – not just for tourists, but for everyone residing in Papua New Guinea,” Mr. Uvovo said.
“In the meantime, the PNGTPA commends the government for continuing to have our country’s borders open, we also commend our tourism industry who have shown an incredible amount of resilience during these difficult times.”
“For those still planning to visit our beautiful country, we encourage you to book your travels with reputable tour operator in the country. If International visitors require further information about tour operators, please contact our marketing and promotions division to verify.”
“PNGTPA acknowledges the urgent need for collaborative action to address this issue and restore confidence in tourism for Papua New Guinea. We are committed to working closely with relevant authorities, including law enforcement agencies, provincial governments, local communities, and tourism stakeholders, to implement effective strategies aimed at improving safety and security for visitors.
PNGTPA will also be setting up a 24-hour emergency helpline for tourists, which will be available in the coming weeks,” concludes Mr. Uvovo.
CEO Mr. Uvovo, also appealed to the media to reach out to the PNGTPA and the tourism industry to discover the positive stories that PNG has about its beautiful and awe-inspiring destinations and proactively share positive stories and experiences of tourists – both local and international, to counter negative perceptions and showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
The PNG Tourism Promotion Authority remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting Papua New Guinea as a safe and attractive tourist destination.
We urge all stakeholders to join us in our efforts to address the challenges facing the tourism sector and rebuild confidence in tourism for the benefit of our communities and economy.
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