|
Image Library Set for Soft Launch in April
PAPUA New Guinea Tourism's new image library is set to go online in April with the release of the best 100 images captured so far. Brisbane based professional photographer David Kirkland and his understudy Colin Taimbari from PNG Tourism Promotion Authority have traveled to the Highlands, Islands and the Sepik capturing some of the most stunning imagery of PNG's tourism attractions which will go online. A major launch of the best 1000 images from across PNG will be in December, with the 3-year project set to end in 2009. Industry partners and stakeholders will be given access to use these images after the launch.
Yam Festival with a Difference
Kiriwina in the Trobriand Islands will come alive in July for its famous yam festivals. The Ugwabwena Festival now in its second year running is scheduled for July 16 & 17, 2008. Show organiser and Butia Lodge owner on Kiriwina Serah Clark says "Ugwabwena will have everything a tourist gets to see at the Milamala Festival". The Milamala Festival which has been a major attraction for the island in previous years has not been staged in 2007 and is unlikely to take place this year as well.
Rudi's Deserved Recognition
Rudiger Knospe who has served Papua New Guinea with distinction over the last 20 years as PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s European Destination Marketing Representative has been conferred with a Logohu Medal for his services to PNG Tourism by the Government. Mr Knospe who is based in Frankfurt, Germany flew in for the award ceremony at Government House where he was conferred the Order of Logohu by Governor General Sir Paulias Matane. Mr Knospe has also been the agent for our national flag carrier Air Niugini since 1988.
TPA Conducted training along Kokoda Trail
There is an increasing demand for guides and porters as well as for basic accommodation services along the Kokoda Trail. This is as a result of increased number of tourists trekking the Kokoda each year with almost 6000 tourists walking the famous wartime track in 2007. As a result, PNG Tourism Promotion Authority has conducted much needed training and has engaged St Johns Ambulance Service to provide First Aid Emergency training at three different locations (Kokoda, Kagi, Sogeri) along the Kokoda Trail. More than 100 guides and porters, including guesthouse operators along the track attended the trainings.
PNG scores at World Class tourism fair
PAPUA New Guinea scored three major awards at the recently concluded International Tourism Bourse in Germany. The world class tourism fair in Berlin attracted more than 200,000 visitors including 108,000 trade visitors and over 11,000 exhibitors from 192 countries. For the first time PNG sent the largest number of tourism operators to ITB. PNG was awarded the: “Best Ethno destination of the year”, Trans Niugini Tours received the “Best Ethno tour operator” and the PNG booth was ranked fourth best among more than 11,000 exhibitors.
Black Cat Track & Mt Wilhelm Tourist Plan Launched
TWO of Papua New Guinea’s adventure tourism icons got a boast in March with each of their own tourism management plans. The Black Cat Track described as “tougher and more adventurous than the popular Kokoda Track” was launch by Culture & Tourism Minister Hon. Charles Abel in Lae. While Kundiawa/Gembogl Open MP Joe Mek Teine formally launched Mt Wilhelm track tourism plan at foot of Mt Wilhelm – PNG’s highest peak. The trekking plans were initiated by PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) to help develop trekking as a product for both Black Cat and Mt Wilhelm.
February sees another Positive Growth
February continued the positive growth trend for Papua New Guinea with 7,767 international visitor arrivals – an increase of 17 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2007. The holiday segment again recorded strong growth of 49% for the month, while business grew by only 11 percent. The most increases were from the European and American markets, followed by Oceania, New Zealand and Australia. A few Asian nations’ countries lost market share from the business segment.
|
