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The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) strengthened its partnership with East New Britain Province (ENB) by hosting several meetings in Rabaul and Kokopo with relevant authorities and tourism stakeholders from Thursday 14 to Tuesday 18 November, 2024.
The meetings were aimed to address the rising safety and security concerns for cruise tourists visiting Rabaul.
TPA has shared empathy in understanding the current challenges that are being faced in ENB and has consulted with the Provincial Government to identify possible solutions to consider for the protection and sustainability of Cruise Tourism in the province.
The meetings strengthened the Provincial Government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and enriching experience for all international visitors, particularly as the country seeks to promote its reputation as a premier cruise destination in the Pacific.
The meetings held in Rabaul and Kokopo, brought together key stakeholders, including provincial government representatives, mayors and ward councillors, local community leaders, and youth representatives and tourism operators.
Strategies were discussed on how TPA can work in partnership with the province to mitigate risks and create a safer environment for tourists, with a focus on practical measures such as increasing security presence and youth volunteer engagements at the port, popular tourism product sites, community engagement, to improve the coordination of Cruise Tourist Tours within the province going forward.
Cruise tourism is a growing segment of Papua New Guinea’s economy bringing in more than 30, 000 tourists per annum, and with Rabaul being one of the top cruise destinations for its cultural/historical richness and natural beauty, it is essential for PNG to prioritise ensuring that the Cruise Industry is supported well through adequate funding and resources.
Governor of ENB, Hon. Michael Marum expressed his optimism and commitment towards strengthening collaboration between the provincial government and PNGTPA to assist with strengthening community policing in the province.
The TPA and ENB authorities have agreed to establish effective communication to coordinate a memorable experience for Cruise Tourists going into 2025 starting with the arrival of Carnival Luminosa into Rabaul on the 30th of November this year carrying 2,260 passengers.
TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo is fully committed to restoring the country’s destination image to our global partners in the cruise tourism industry following the recent attack on cruise tourists in Rabaul.
“Tourism is not just about showcasing our country’s beauty; it’s about ensuring our visitors feel safe and welcomed. This collaboration is a step towards building trust and confidence in Papua New Guinea as a safe and desirable Cruise Tourist Destination,” said Uvovo.
TPA remains confident in the capacity and potential of the country to grow as a cruise destination and this allows the opportunity for the government and stakeholders to review, re-strategize and build back better to improve the quality of tourist experiences for the benefit of the visitors and local citizens.
“In spite of the setbacks presented COVID, law and order among other constraints, Papua New Guinea will continue to persevere amidst these challenges to mobilise resources together with our stakeholders to grow the local cruise tourism industry and this marks a significant moment in our tourism development journey.
Ensuring the safety and satisfaction of visitors will not only enhance the country’s global reputation but also create long-term economic benefits for our people, and we look forward to working with other provinces to ensure that PNG’s image as a tourist destination is protected,” said Uvovo.
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The National Airports Corporation (NAC) and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), solidifying their collaboration in various initiatives aimed at marketing and promoting Papua New Guinea’s tourism potential both domestically and internationally.
The MOU outlines key areas of cooperation between both organizations which involve;
At the MOU signing ceremony, NAC’s Acting Managing Director and CEO, Mr Dominic Kaumu, expressed optimism about the partnership: “Airports play an important role in tourism development and vice versa therefore, we believe this collaboration is an important step taken by both our organizations toward supporting tourism growth, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunities it brings.”
Mr Eric Mossman Uvovo, CEO of PNGTPA, emphasized the importance of working together: “Through this partnership, we can utilize the unique strengths and positions of our respective organizations to unlock the potential of PNG’s tourism industry and showcase our country to the world.
The signing of the MOU signifies a commitment from both NAC and PNGTPA to work hand-in-hand towards the common goal of promoting PNG as a premiere tourist destination while enhancing the overall traveller experience.
The Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) awarded Marissa Siwa with its Award for Academic Excellence at the Divine Word University’s graduation ceremony on Friday 8 March in Madang.
Tourism & Hospitality Management (THM) graduate, Marissa Siwa, achieved the highest cumulative GPA among her cohorts, earning her this distinguished accolade from TPA.
TPA’s award is an esteemed recognition presented to graduating students in the Tourism & Hospitality Department who exhibit exceptional academic performance. Marissa’s outstanding performance earned her a commemorative plaque, a mobile phone, and a cash prize of K2,000.
Dr. Fiona N’Drower, Head of the THM department at DWU, thanked TPA for its ongoing support towards the department’s educational initiatives, highlighting its unwavering support spanning over two decades.
“PNGTPA’s contributions extend beyond financial sponsorship, including the establishment of special awards during graduation ceremonies and serving as the primary sponsor for the Liklik Diwai Tourism Expo (LDTE), an annual event hosted by final year Tourism & Hospitality students,” said N’Drower.
Dr. N’Drower also reflected on PNGTPA’s significant impact on shaping tourism education in Papua New Guinea, dating back to the introduction of the PNGTPA award in 1999/2000.
“DWU emerged as a trailblazer in recognizing the need for promoting tourism and hospitality education, leading to the inception of the Diploma in Tourism & Hospitality program in 1998, followed by the Bachelor program in 2006.
PNGTPA’s active involvement in academic events not only showcases the potential of tourism in PNG but also underscores the employment and entrepreneurial opportunities within the Tourism & Hospitality industry, thus promoting the Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality program at DWU,” said N’Drower.
Ingrid Kuman, Acting Chief Executive Officer at TPA, presented the award to Marissa Siwa during the graduation ceremony and commended Marissa’s dedication and hard work, which were evident in her remarkable academic achievements.
“The prize provided to the student is in recognition of their hard work and academic commitment to the THM program and is a testament to their perseverance to achieve their goal,” said Kuman.
Marissa Siwa’s exemplary performance serves as an inspiration to aspiring students in the field of tourism and hospitality, reaffirming the importance of academic excellence and dedication in shaping future leaders in Papua New Guinea’s tourism sector.
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