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UNWTO Field
Mission
TWO officers from the United Nations World Tourism
Organisation will visit Papua New Guinea on Mar 7 on a two-week field mission.
They will visit new and existing tourism product around the country
to see where UNWTO can assist further develop and promote these products. The
UNWTO Mission will also meet with stakeholders, industry partners and government
to discuss Papua New Guinea's tourism potential. This is the first UNWTO
Mission to PNG following acceptance of our membership at the General
Assembly in
Senegal
last Nov. PNG was
represented at the General Assembly by Culture & Tourism Minister Hon. David
Basua and PNG TPA chief executive officer Peter Vincent. SPTO Conference Report
AFTER hosting what has been dubbed the best South Pacific Tourism Organisation Conference to date, a full report outlining details of the conference including financials was presented to the Government. Presenting the report to Inter-Government Relations Minister Sir Peter Barter, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority marketing manager Jim Yomapisi acknowledged the government's support saying the Oct 2005 conference would not have been successful without government and industry support. A copy of the report plus DVD of the conference can be obtained by emailing: info@pngtourism.org.pg
Gurney
Airport Upgrade
Gurney Airport in idyllic Milne Bay will soon be
taking direct international flights. This follows a National
Government allocation of K3 million for the upgrading of security
and airport facilities at the airport. The Gurney Airport upgrading
project comes under the government's "model tourism provinces"
aimed at establishing four strategic gateways for tourism in four
selected provinces including Madang, Goroka and Rabaul. Milne Bay is
fast becoming a popular holiday destination for both local and international
visitors. Gurney's upgrading project is set to get underway in September. The
National Executive Council has also agreed to an allocation in the 2007
national budget for the second phase of the project to boost tourist visits to
Milne Bay by enabling larger commercial and international flights to
Gurney airport. Cultural
performance at Jackson's
Japanese tourists to Port Moresby's
Jackson's International Airport will be treated to some traditional
entertainment from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The Buka Bamboo
Band from Buka Island has been engaged by Papua New Guinea
Tourism Promotion Authority to perform for the Japanese tourists and other
visitors at the airport. The basic aim is to give the tourists and
visitors an opportunity to experience local PNG culture so as
to encourage repeat visits to PNG. Cruise tourists to increase
Culture & Tourism
Minister Hon. David Basua has predicted that Papua New Guinea will see an
increase in tourist numbers particularly from cruise tourism with operators such
as True North planning six back-to-back cruises and Coral Sea Princess planning
four back-to-back cruises all between Oct & Dec 2006. Other cruise ships
scheduled to visit PNG include Orion Expedition - one
cruise commencing Mar 20 between Alotau, Rabaul, Kavieng and
Madang. MS Endeavour - making two cruises around Kitava, Suau Islands, D'
Entrecasteaux Islands and Port Moresby beginning Jul 5. While Mv Bremen will
cruise the seas around Wewak, Madang, Tuam Islands, Trobriands and the Losuia
Achipelago beginning Oct 28. 2006 Kalam
Cultural Festival
The 2006 Kalam Cultural Festival in Madang is set for September with more than 30, 000 people from the Simbai area gearing up for the week long event. The festival is scheduled for Sept 18 - 22. The nose- piercing ceremony will be the highlight comprising 5 stages. "Other highlights include the initiations, pig killing ceremony, bride price payments, compensation and debt settlement ceremonies as well as a special mumu feast and a delightful singsing extravaganza. Visit: www.madangtoursim.com
Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior 2
The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior 2
docked at Port Moresby's Fairfax Harbour on Feb 28 to
launch a campaign by the world renowned environmental action
group against large-scale destructive logging. Greenpeace aims to
preserve Asia Pacific's remaining ancient "Paradise"
rainforests - stretching from South - East Asia across Indonesia
to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. A global "forest rescue
station" has been set up at PNG's Lake Murray area between
the Fly and Strickland rivers in Western Province. The Rainbow Warrior
is set to sail on from Fairfax Harbour on Mar 6 on a "forest crime
patrol" across the region to promote sustainable forestry.
MTS Discoverer cruise specials
The Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS) is offering specials in March on cruises to the Sepik River for a reduced rate of K1, 925 + 10% GST per person onboard the luxurious MTS Discoverer beginning Mar 8 - 13 2006. For more details email to: mtsmanager@mtspng.com / melanesian@mtspng.com / mtsoperations@mtspng.com
Tavali
Resort - February's Hot Spot
Tawali Resort in idyllic Milne Bay is fast becoming a popular getaway not only for divers but for those who just want out from all the hype and buzz of the city. Tucked away on a forest covered limestone bluff in Hoia Bay towards the eastern most tip of Papua New Guinea, Tawali is simply magic. The observation deck built some 80 feet above the water provides some breathtaking views at sundown and its dramatic drop-offs teeming with marine life and colorful soft coral. Built 5 years ago by local craftsman, the intricate artistry of Milne Bay is evident on the totem poles found in the 10 mostly rosewood timber built bungalows. The bungalows are large and spacious and built into its forested environment that from a distance, one would be mistaken to think that this modern dive resort was non- existent. Tawali Resort which is fast becoming popular with Japanese and American divers is February's 'Hot Spot'. Visit: www.tawali.com
 
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