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PNG to feature on Getaway
Papua New Guinea's world famous Kokoda Track will receive further international media coverage with three episodes planned for airing on Australia's Channel 9 network later this year or early 2006. Presenter David Reyne and three crew members of the popular travel show 'Getaway' trekked from July 2 - 15 with 170 other trekkers from Australia. Mr Reyne described it as a "most memorable experience" for everyone. Getaway is reportedly watched by 10 million people worldwide. Over the last three years, the Kokoda Track has grown from 240 trekkers a year to more than 3000 this year with the numbers to continue growing over the next few years.
PNG Loses Great Tourism Ambassador
Papua New
Guinea lost a great tourism ambassador with the sudden passing of Bob
Martin. The late Robert William Martin (1947 - 2005) was commercial
manager - marketing for PNG's national flag carrier Air Niugini until he
collapsed and died on July 30 near the summit of PNG's highest mountain - Mount
Wilhelm (14,800 feet). Bob as he was affectionately known by family,
friends and everyone he touched with his life was trekking Mt
Wilhelm with his sons' Ben and Tim. Bob who first came to work in
the airline industry from Australia in 1969 loved Papua New Guinea and died
doing what he loved. At his funeral service, wife Elaine said: "This (PNG) is
his true home and it is fitting that he died up here." Best mate Murray
Jones described him as a "quiet, compassionate and dignified man" who had an
unfailing belief that he could make a difference in life and he did make a
difference. We at the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority have also been touched by
Bob's life through our close working relationship. Until is passing,
Bob was a member of the TPA Board. His death is indeed a
great loss to the tourism industry because he believed passionately in this
country, which he loved so much. On behalf of the Board, management, staff and
the tourism industry as a whole, we pass our deepest heartfelt condolences to
Elaine, Ben and Tim on the passing of their beloved husband and father. May
he rest in peace.
Israeli
Envoy to visit PNG
Israeli envoy to Papua New Guinea Ms. Mary-clare Adam
Murvitz will be visiting here from August 19 - September 5, 2005. Her
Excellency will be accompanied by Daphne Rax - editor in chief of the National
Geographic, Hebrew Edition and her photographer/journalist Assaela Weinstein.
Their trip is being coordinated by the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority
including being thrilled at the famous Mount Hagen Cultural Show, doing an
cruise expedition on the majestic Sepik River aboard the Melanesian Discoverer
and some exotic diving in pristine Kavieng and extraordinary
Tufi. The journalists hope to write 10 feature pages on Papua New Guinea
upon their return. Ms Weinstein also writes for other travel magazines including
the E1 A1 - the inflight magazine for the Israeli national airline.
She also hopes to visit media houses in PNG and intends to present a radio
program on PNG upon return to Israel.
MSG meet in Goroka
Leaders of the Melanesian countries of the South Pacific
- Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu - will converge on
the scenic highlands town of Goroka for the 16th Melanesian Spearhead Group
meeting from August 15 - 20, 2005. Sir Michael Somare as host Prime
Minister will lead the PNG delegation for discussions on issues affecting the
Melanesian neighbours including trade, investment and bilateral issues. The MSG
is the start of major regional meetings in PNG including the South Pacific
Tourism Conference and the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting both in Port
Moresby in October. All meetings are regarded as national events for PNG as part
of celebrations for its 30th Independence Anniversary. World War II - 60 Years On
The idyllic township of Wewak will be abuzz come September 13, 2005 as it celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Japanese Army surrender to the Allied Forces. According to war records, Japanese Lieutenant General Hatazo Adachi surrendered his sword to Australian Major General HCH Robertson at 10:15am on September 13, 1945 at Cape Wom in the presence of more than 3000 troops to mark the official surrender and the end of the war. Of the 100,000 Japanese troops only 13,000 survived to surrender at Cape Wom, where a memorial and peace park now stands. East Sepik Provincial Administrations tourism head Mr Sakarai Anton said preparations are already underway to host some 500 international visitors including Japanese war survivors, family members and dignitaries from both Australia and Japan. Mr. Sakarai said while bearing in mind PNG's 30th Independence Anniversary celebration which falls on September 16, the significance of the Japanese surrender will not be underplayed as it is a major part of Wewak and PNG history. "These are both historical events for Papua New Guinea and we are looking at a good turn out both locally and from overseas," he said. PNG Defence Force troops at Moem Barracks will perform the military rites during the celebrations. For more info contact Mr Sakarai on telephone: (675) 8561108 or fax: (675) 8562860 or email: sakaraianton@datec.net.pg
Princess Anne to visit PNG
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne will add a royal touch to Papua New Guinea's 30th Independence anniversary celebrations when she visits Port Moresby on September 28 & 29. The Princess Royal will be representing Queen Elizabeth II to mark PNG's anniversary celebrations. PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael said the royal visit will add to what augurs to be a very successful and memorable celebration to mark a great moment in our nation's history. PNG gained independence from Australia on September 16, 1975. The Princess Royals visit will be followed by PNG hosting the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting. The PIF includes Australia and New Zealand and will see Prime Minister John Howard and his New Zealand counterpart attend as well. We at the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority would like to wish the people of this great nation Happy 30th Anniversary.
Nasenel Garamut na Mambu Festivol
THE 4th Nesenal Garamut (drums) na Mambu (pipes/flutes) Festivol will be staged at the Wewak Show Ground on September 2 & 3. The festival is one of four themed regional cultural events sanctioned by the National Cultural Commission and is aimed at promoting and preserving the cultures of the Morobe, Madang and Sepik Provinces. This year's Garamut and Mambu Festival promises to showcase some of the most primitive art forms and dances from the Sepik region. For more info contact Mr Sakarai Anton on Tel: (675) 8651108; Fax: (675) 8562860 or Email: sakaraianton@datec.net.pg
PNG at 2005 World Travel Market
PAPUA New Guinea through the Tourism Promotion Authority will once again be represented at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London from November 14 - 17, 2005 . This is the 3rd time for PNG to participate as a main exhibitor at the WTM which provides a unique opportunity for both buyers and sellers to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business under the one roof. Last year's WTM saw 46,201 participants representing 193 countries around the globe.
Super 24
Hour Kokoda Challenge
Marathon freaks and fitness fanatics, get ready to get physical because the inaugural Super 24 Hour Kokoda Challenge 2005 is here. The challenge will be run over the full 96 kilometres of the historical and physically demanding Kokoda Track. The challenge is for those with the endurance and stamina to complete the track under 24 hours. Australian Brian Freeman currently holds the record at 24 hours, 59 minutes and 26 seconds, which he achieved on his 40th birthday last year. Previously, the record proudly belonged to Papua New Guinean Osborne "Ossie" Bogajiwai, who held it for some 20 years. Word is that "Ossie" sponsored by Kokoda Spirit, will be out to retain his title. Already, interests have been registered from overseas and locally for the event which starts at Kokoda Station on August 27 and ends at Owers Corner on August 28. For more info visit: www.pngbd.com We wish
all the challengers the very best of luck.
PNG making ground at BFTE
Papua New Guinea continues to make
its presence felt at the Bula Fiji Travel Exchange (BFTE) after attending
this year's event from June 8 - 11 on the Coral Coast. The BFTE is a great
opportunity to meet buyers from Australia, United States & Canada, Asia and
the Pacific. Although, BFTE has been around for 10 years, this was the
second time for the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority to attend. One of PNG's
major tour operators Trans Niugini Tours has attended on four occasions already.
Linda Honey of Tufi Dive Resort and Alois Mateos of Sepik Adventure Tours were
the debutants from PNG at this year's BFTE. Linda Honey took the
opportunity to promote Tufi as a place for honeymooners as there is a
growing international demand for weeding anniversaries in remotes places or
traditional weddings in primitive costumes. TPA is hopeful that more PNG tour
operators will participate at the BFTE come 2006.
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