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Positive visitor number for PNG in April 2008
THE monthly visitor arrivals figure in Papua New Guinea is continuing to maintain the upward trend from 2007. In April 2008, the visitor arrivals figure went up to 10,368, which was an increase of 15% (or 1,349 additional arrivals) compared to the 9,019 arrivals recorded in the same period last year. Once again, the holiday segment grew strongly by recording an increase of 28% in the month, while business grew by 11 percent. This marks the forth consecutive month this year, pushing the year-to-date arrivals figure to 37,926, an increase of 12% compared to the 34,005 arrivals recorded in the first four months of 2007.The Japanese market experienced the highest growth in tourist numbers followed by Europe, Canada, Australia, Other America and Asia.
German Travel Agents Famil
THE PNGTPA in conjunction with the PNGTPA Frankfurt Office hosted a group of Tour Operators from German and Austria for a 10 day famil in Papua New Guinea from 19 – 29th of May 2008. The group visited Eastern Highlands, Southern Highlands (Ambua), Madang and East New Britain Provinces. The aim of the tour was to give the tour operators a familiarity on the types of tourism products that are sold in the country. An informal 2 hours workshop was arranged by TPA for Port Moresby based industry members to network and exchange information with the visitors. The trip was short but enjoyed by the visitors who confirmed that they will include PNG in their tour package as an adventure destination.
American tourists come to PNG
EIGHTY-eight tourists from the National Geographic Expedition of America flew into Port Moresby early last month and visited three different locations. Thirty-six of them flew to Tari in the Southern Highlands to see the Huli wigmen at Ambua Lodge while 32 went to the Sepik. Twenty stopped over at Mt Hagen in Western Highlands province. The Mt Hagen group also visited the Pai Kona and Avi cultural centres where they witnessed colourful traditional dances performed by the local people. (Source: The National, 06/05/08)
Air Niugini Ltd appoints new GM, Marketing
PNG National airline, Air Niugini now has a new General Manager for its Marketing Department. He is Mr. Colin Lyttle who took up his new post on the 25th of February this year. Mr Lyttle is not new to the Airline Industry, having worked for a total of 30 years with the industry commencing with Ansett in the 1970s, where he worked for 16 years before joining Qantas. During his employment with the two Australian airlines, Mr Lyttle has held several positions in the Commercial and Human Resource areas of the airlines. Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Mr Wasantha Kumarasiri in welcoming the new General Manager said Mr Lyttle’s appointment is an added advantage for the management team as he brings with him significant experience, which will enable Air Niugini to develop a strategic approach to its business and commercial focus.
See PNG Pass
Air Niugini has introduced the "See PNG Pass" for tourists coming to PNG. The 4 - Coupon Pass allows tourists to travel to other domestic destinations for an additional USD$375 or approximately AUD$508 (excluding taxes and surcharges) and can be purchased overseas prior to arrival in the country. (Source: www.airniugini.com.pg )
Alotau Canoe and Kundu Festival
TRANS Niugini Tours is very excited to offer a brand new Festival in Papua New Guinea in November this year. This is the first time this program has been put together and Trans Niugini Tours feel that visitors would be thrilled to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. The Alotau Canoe & Kundu Festival is an unescorted 11 day/10 night program. The highlight of the program being the attendance at the War Canoe & Kundu Festival, a small and friendly culture show, allowing attendees to interact with the performers. The Canoe & Kundu Festival is a celebration of culture and tradition of War Canoes and inherited Kundu drums. After the Canoe & Kundu Festival guests will get a chance to discover other parts of Papua New Guinea, especially the Highlands and Sepik areas. For additional information please visit: www.pngtours.com/tours/festivals2008.html (Source: Air Niugini News)
Waghi cultural show on again
THE Waghi Cultural Show will be on again this weekend at Nondugl district, Western Highlands province. This year’s show is going to be bigger and better as many traditional singsing groups from all over the highlands region have confirmed their participation, chairman of the Waghi show committee John Koimo has said. This would be the fifth year for the show, to be held on June 7 and 8. Tourists will be introduced into the village setting and shown how pigs are slaughtered and cooked in mumu, how stone axes are made and how young couples court through Karim lek. (Source: The National, 29/05/08).
Ulingan Surf Club opening, Madang
SURFING Association of Papua New Guinea launched its eighth surfing site in the country in Madang last month. Tupira Surf Club at Ulingan is the Madang’s first surfing area to be officially recognized and declared as such by the President of SAPNG Mr Andy Abel at Ulingan Harbour on Saturday 12th April 2008.
Airport to get facelift
PORT Moresby’s Jackson’s Airport will undergo a facelift after a joint agreement was signed between the Civil Aviation Authority and National Capital District Commission in early May. Chairman Rex Paki said Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Don Polye had been adamant CAA should upgrade Jackson’s Airport to an acceptable standard. “We have major plans to upgrade all our 22 airports and 400 airstrips given the current economic boom expected with regards to the PNG Gas Project and the increasing influx of tourists,’’ Mr Paki said. (Source: Post Courier, 05/05/08)
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