PNG to Chair South-Pacific.Travel

PAPUA New Guinea will for the first time play host as Chair of South-Pacific.Travel or South Pacific Tourism Organization. This follows the unanimous decision at the recent South-Pacific.Travel Board meeting in the Kingdom of Tonga to elect PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNG TPA) chief executive officer Peter Vincent as the new chairman. Culture & Tourism Minister Hon. Charles Abel who also attended the Pacific Tourism Ministers' Meeting which coincided with the SPTO Conference welcomed the decision saying it shows the growing status of PNG Tourism in the region. Mr. Vincent has been the head of PNG TPA for the past 5 years and has more than 27 years experience in the travel industry.

Australia Support World heritage listing for Kokoda

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has pledged $15.9 million to assist Papua New Guinea obtain world heritage listing for the Kokoda Trail as well as build capacity to manage the environmental issues effectively. This is welcome news to those who have a first hand appreciation of the track and its special significance for us all. This week's announcement by the Australian Minister for Environment, Malcolm Turnbull, has elevated the issue to the national inter-governmental level and will provide Kokoda with both the recognition and the protection it deserves.
(source: Adventure Kokoda Niusleta Issue 006 28 Oct 2007)

K10 million for Alotau's waterfront development

MILNE Bay's reputation as a developing tourism province in Papua New Guinea will be further enhanced with the proposed K10 million redevelopment of its waterfront. The idyllic township of Alotau situated in the heart of the 20 kilometre long Sanderson Bay will be the main focus. Governor Jon Luc says once developed, it will be world class standard accommodating local boats, passenger vessels, overseas yachts and cruise ships. It will not only be safe for all boats under any weather, the waterfront will have added attractions such as night markets and transit houses. " Sanderson Bay once developed and you have 100 boats moored there, in itself will be unique in PNG, you will not see anything like that anywhere so that in itself will be a tourism attraction," he said.

PNGTPA through its Australian Office, participated for the second time at the 11th Annual Cruise Down Under Conference from 29th - 31st August 2007 in Darwin . The location of Darwin for this conference was a concerted push by Tourism Northern Territory to promote the Top End of Australia as a viable cruise region. Some 120 delegates attended though many of the major cruise companies and all the smaller expeditionary cruise companies were missing. The delegates comprised a good representation from various government entities as well as a range of academically focused consultants. The main theme discussed was the requirements of port facilities to understand how to handle the new super ships now plying the waters of the major cruise regions. The programme included speakers who talked about Development Plans for Darwin, Itinerary Planners, Security Issues, Impacts of Cruise ship visitation particularly as regards to Customs and Immigration, ground transport and facilities. Economic Impact Study of Cruising and an overview of Australia' s commitment to cruising. Sharon Hannaford, TPA Manager, Sydney Office discussed expeditionary cruising in PNG and our reasons for membership of an organization such as Cruise Down Under (CDU). Overall the conference was a good one. General networking and discussions following the PNG presentation have led to an approach from Darwin to consider working with them to develop a range of cruise products -Darwin-PNG- Vanuatu return.

Australian Travel Agents on Educational trip to PNG

Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, through the TPA Australian Office selected eight (8) Australian travel agents to do an educational trip in PNG on MV Orion Expedition cruise. There was a special offer made by Captain's Choice which chartered the Orion for a cruise fromDarwin to Rabaul in September. The MV Orion Captains Choice Tour is a 15 Day Expedition which affords an insight into the diverse art and culture of the people across northern Australia and the islands of Papua New Guinea. The Orion Expedition Cruises Calendar of Sailings includes PNG Highland Cultures which cover Sepik River, Madang, Tami Islands, Tufi, D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Samarai & Kwato Islands in Milne Bay. Orion Expedition Cruises explore paths less travelled and to exotic locations. It is merely a cruise but an expedition, a voyage to places where one feels more like an explorer than a tourist. The calendar of sailings for 2008 is out and can be viewed on their website: www.orioncruises.com.au

Milne Bay launches 5-year Tourism Plan

THE 5-Year Model Province Tourism Plan forMilne Bay Province has been launched by Culture & Tourism Minister Charles Abel. Mr. Abel launched the plan in Alotau recently in the presence of Milne Bay Governor Jon Luc, tourism industry partners and other stakeholders. The plan highlights the tourism vision and strategies for Milne Bay over the next 5 years towards achieving the status of a stand alone tourism destination in Papua New Guinea.

East Sepik Tourism Workshop a Success

WEWAK - the provincial capital of East Sepik  - played host to the first tourism industry training for this year. More than 20 members representing all facets of the industry attended the weeklong workshop which was jointly facilitated by PNG Tourism Promotion Authority and Department of Education's Technical & Vocational Education Training (TVET). Courses included hospitality health, safety and security procedures, developing and updating tourism industry knowledge, developing & updating hospitality industry knowledge, and food & beverage service.

Protection for rare butterfly needs urgency

The provincial wildlife and conservation officer from the Oro province is concerned over the habitat of the largest butterfly in the world-the Queen Alexandra butterfly. This concern was raised last week Wednesday in an open forum discussing conservation communities. He told participants of the conference on nature conservation and protected areas of the need to protect the habitat of the largest butterfly but at the same time look after the needs of the communities involved in conservation. He said there was an urgent need for the government to recognize the landowners in conservation areas like Oro province where the largest butterfly in the world lives. (Source: The National)

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