2006 International Orchid Spectacle
THE 2006 International Orchid Show is expected to be bigger and better this year drawing orchid specialists and enthusiasts from Australia, USA, Singapore and Malaysia. The orchid show will be staged at the Papua New Guinea National Parliament on Aug 5 & 6 and is expected to draw over 100 participants. PNG has 3,000 known orchid species, unique only to Papua New Guinea. For more info email info@pngtourism.org.pg  

PNG Goes Online in Australia
PAPUA New Guinea Tourism is now online in the Australian market following the launch of our Australian website www.png-tourism.com. More than  70 attendees representing wholesalers, retailers, travel  trade, travel media, airlines, cruise companies and PNG 'wantok specialists' attended the launch in Sydney on May 16, 2004. The website is part of PNG Tourism Promotion Authority's marketing drive to further boost tourism traffic to PNG from Australia. Acting TPA Board Chairman Jimmy Winfrey in launching the website said PNG really does offer some exciting and unique attractions which want Australians to know about and have a personal experience enjoying them. Australia remains PNG largest source market with potential for more growth.  Come visit our website www.png-tourism.com

Australian visitors to the Pacific Increases
OVERSEAS travel by Australian residents increased by more than 6,800 trips in the month of February 2006. In total, Australian overseas travel was recorded at 4.76 million in the year ended February 2006 - up by nearly 333,000 departures or 8% - on the 2005 February year result. By the top ten "countries of intended stay" (in the 2005 calendar year), Australian travel to New Zealand increased by less than 3% in the month of February, with departures to the United States up 14% and to the United Kingdom down 17%. Travel departures to was Fiji up 11% with departures to the "other" South Pacific Islands up 19% and to Asia up 4%. "Holiday" travel to the "other" Americas rose by 47% in February, with departures to Africa and the Middle East up 23%. Total overseas departures for "holiday" reasons were recorded at 2.23 million in the year ended February 2006 - up 8% on the year ended February 2005. (Source: SPTO Weekly Newsletter Issue 14).

Australian Federal MP leads Kokoda Track walk
FORMER Opposition Leader of Australia Hon Simon Crean MP will lead a high profile group of politicians, businessmen and sports personalities on the famous Kokoda Track commencing June 4, 2006. Hon. Crean is currently the Federal Shadow Regional Development Minister. The 20-member group also includes Ron Barassi (football legend), John Bertrand (Australia II Skipper - America's Cup), Robert Dipierdomenico (Hawthorn Football Legend), John Wylie (Partner - Carnegie Wylie & Co) and Andrew Cadzow (Regional Development Manager, AFL Queensland) among others. The delegation arrives into Port Moresby on Friday, June 2.    

Americans give thumbs-up to diving PNG
AMERICANS Jim Touchstone and Greg Griffin have given Papua New Guinea a big 9 out of 10 for its diving. Touchstone and Griffin have traveled to some of the bet dive locations in the world including Palau, Caribbean, Belize, Copas Islands (Costa Rica), Bali and Hawaii but they've never seen anything better than what they saw in PNG. "I would give it very high marks, the diving is excellent, some of the best I've ever seen," said Griffin. Touchstone said: "I would also give it 9 out of 10. It's got very healthy and colourful corals and abundant marine life including the ghost pipe fish." Griffin and Touchstone spent three days diving at the Tawali Resort in Milne Bay. They also joined other Americans on a tour of Mount Hagen, Sepik River and Madang. Touchstone and Griffin were also dressed in traditional dress from the Western Highlands and participated in a singsing with the locals. "We were celebrities, everybody wanted to talk to us and takes our pictures," said Griffin. Griffin and Touchstone are determined to come back and dive in the Trobriands aboard the MTS Discoverer.

PROFIT in the PACIFIC
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and CDE/ PRO-INVEST, a programme of the European Union charged with promoting investment in the South Pacific, have joined forces to bring PROFIT in the PACIFIC to Vanuatu in 2006. The event will be held at the Le Lagoon Resort November 29-December 1. PROFIT in the PACIFIC delivers a unique platform for business and investment opportunities to tourism entrepreneurs who seek investment support for their projects and investor enterprises from the EU and other countries. PROFIT in the PACIFIC features one-to-one meetings between prospective partners and a conference programme addressing the most significant issues and trends in Pacific tourism. For further information visit: www.PROfITpacific.com. (Sources: Whats New in Asia Pacific - May Issue)

Airlines PNG Launches Inflight Magazine
AIRLINES PNG - Papua New Guinea's fastest growing third level airline - recently launched its latest product on the market. The product is Discover, the airline's first inflight magazine. Discover is a joint venture with PNG based printing house South Pacific Post with any excess funds derived from revenues to be put into worthy community projects. The full-colour gloss magazine is easy to read and has many interesting pictures and articles on PNG with strong tourism contents. Readers can find Discover on Airlines PNG's Port Moresby-Cairns flights, selected news agencies and hotels or on its other Pacific and Australasian operations. Email marketing@apng.com or visit www.apng.com   

P&O Cruises revisit PNG
AFTER many years of absence from Papua New Guinea, P&O Cruises' luxury vessel Pacific Star is scheduled to stop over in Rabaul later this month. It is part of P&O's six-week round trip voyage to Japan and China. P&O Cruises managing director Gavin Smith told Seatrade magazine that he expected the voyage to be extremely popular with Australians keen to experience the diverse cultures and sights of Asia and the Pacific. Visit www.pocruises.com.au 

PNG Air Tour by Private Airliner
AUSTRALIA's third level operator Heron Airlines will do an escorted tour for 14 people travelling in their own private jet to Papua New Guinea. Beginning on June 21 and taking 11 days, the PNG Air Tour will visit remote parts of the Highlands including a singsing at Mount Hagen; the turquoise lagoons of pristine Madang; the Huon Gulf and a walk at the Lae War Cemetery; the active volcanoes of Rabaul; and walk part of the famous Kokoda Track. Visit www.heronair.com.au   

Wild Honey - A Journey through Papua New Guinea
WILD Honey - A Journey through Papua New Guinea - is the latest picture book capturing the diverse and uniquely colourful landscape, cultures, people and the flora & fauna of this amazing land. Published by Exposure Plus (Cairns), author Kevin Glennon takes us on an intriguing journey through the appropriately named chapters of the book - Celebration of Ritual; Ritual of Life; Life in a New World; A Rich & Volatile Land; and Spirit of Place. Visit www.kevin-glennon.com   

Hot Product of the Month
THE Kokopo Beach Hotel is our Hot Product for May. Built on the fringes of Blanche Bay overlooking the Biskmack Sea towards the majestic Duke of Yorks Islands, Kokopo Beach Hotel offers diving, fishiing and days tours around Kokopo and Rabaul. The fully self contained executive beach bungalows are spacious and ideal for those seeking a quiet getaway. The 'haus win' or restaurant situated in a splendid tropical garden is all built and decorated with traditional materials with plenty of fresh air and excellent cuisine. Visit www.taklam.com.pg or Email taklam@daltron.com.pg   

Hot Spot of the Month
KULAU in the local Kuanua Language of East New Britain is fresh coconut juice. Kulau is also the name for this beach resort just 12 minutes drive from Rabaul. Kulau Lodge Beach Resort is built on a private beach. They offer deluxe two-bedroom apartments and beach cottages with all its modern amenities. A licensed restaurant with a-la-carte menu built right on the sandy white beach at Talili Bay overlooking the Rabaul volcanoes, gives a south sea atmosphere about Kulau. The lodge offers cultural performances for guests and gives corporate rates, weekend specials and discount packages. Kulau Lodge Beach Resort is our Hot Spot for May. Don't forget to ask for a kulau - You'll love it! Telephone (675) 982 7222 or 982 2223; Email kulauresort@global.net.pg   

TPA Farewells JICA Volunteer
THE Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority farewelled Mr Hidehiko Ito at a small ceremony recently. Mr Ito returned to Japan after spending two years with PNGTPA as a Japan International Cooperation Agency volunteer. Having visited most parts of the country and its unique tourism attractions, Mr Ito has taken it upon himself to further promote the PNG Experience after he returns home.    

Secretary of the Year Award
PAPUA New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority's executive secretary, Mrs Elizabeth Gari was crowned the Outstanding Executive Secretary of the Year. Mrs Gari received the top award at the 5th Annual Secretary's Conference held at the Lae International Hotel. The Conference was held from May 17 - 19 with the theme "Secretaries Investing to Make a Difference". It was seen highly as a milestone achievement for women in the workplace. The Board, management and staff of PNGTPA congratulate Mrs Gari on her achievement as it has revealed the hard work and commitment all positions play within the organization to ensuring tourism plays a major role in Papua New Guinea's economy.

National Tourism Conference
THE 3rd National Tourism Conference will held at the Holiday Inn, Port Moresby on June 19, 2006. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is tentatively scheduled to present the keynote address at the opening. A conference business breakfast will precede the official opening. Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program in PNG Dr Jacqueline Badcock will be guest speaker at the breakfast. Several international tourism experts will also present papers at the conference. The conference is a joint initiative of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority and PNG Tourism Industry Association. It will follow on from the Lukim PNG Nau Expo scheduled for June 16 - 18. For info Email pngtia@online.net.pg or visit the website www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/eventdetails/lukimpng.html

Arts & Crafts Exhibition
THE 2nd National Arts and Crafts Exhibition will be staged at the Hideaway Hotel in Port Moresby from June 8 - 10, 2006. The exhibition is proudly presented by the National Cultural Commission and supported by the National Capital District Commission. Admission is free.

Final Word
THE Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority is conducting an online survey on its website www.pngtourism.org.pg. The survey will help us better understand your perception and knowledge of our country as a preferable tourist destination. We would appreciate if our international visitors and friends can assist us by taking some of your precious time to complete the survey questionnaire. All information will be kept in the strictest of confidentiality and used only for research purposes.

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