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Visitor Arrivals Remains Positive
INTERNATIONAL visitor arrivals to Papua New Guinea increased by 5.2 percent from January
to September compared to the same period last year. The cumulative figure was 56,003 arrivals
as opposed to 53,215 in the corresponding period in 2005. The
figures reflect a continued growth in traffic from
key markets in Australia, USA, Asia, Europe & Japan. Both business and holiday
segments increased by 0.3% and 20.1% respectively to the cummulative (Jan-Sep) total.
Rare PNG
Birds Draw Bird Watchers
PAPUA New Guinea has about 315 of the
world's unique bird species including 33 species of the adored Birds of
Paradise. It is little wonder birding enthusiasts or "twitches" from around the
world are now beginning to frequent PNG. Recently, a group of 11 twitches from
Finland spent 18 days in the country visiting Tari, Kiunga, Mount Hagen and
Variarata National Park outside Port Moresby to find and photograph some of
PNG's unique bird species. Group leader Lasse Laine - a veteran twitcher who
traveled to 76 countries in the last 40 years - said "PNG has some of the most
beautiful birds in the world, especially the Greater Bird of Paradise." Laine
said birdwatching is a big thing in Western Europe particularly, England, Sweden
& Finland.
Mining
on Kokoda
THE Kokoda Track - Papua New Guinea's popular tourism icon
- is under threat from mining. Australian company Frontier Resources is carrying
out exploration in the area for gold and copper deposits. The Kokoda Track
Foundation (KTF) has called on both the Papua New Guinean and Australian
Governments to join forces and develop a master plan for the management of the
Kokoda Track to protect it from a range of serious threats from both mining and
forestry interests. However, according to media reports both Frontier Resources
and the PNG Government have denied any confirmed mining activity or any imminent
damage to the Kokoda Track. According to KTF, World Wildlife Fund has secured a
tentative World Heritage listing for the Kokoda Track. KTF says this the first
stage of the Track's journey to long term protection indicates that the World
Heritage authority recognises the area has the qualities needed to meet strict
world Heritage criteria.
PNG is the Focus for Antibes
'06
ALL the focus at the 2006 Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-marine in France will be on Papua New Guinea. PNG has been made the theme destination at the prestigious world festival of underwater images where it will be given center stage for our breathtaking diving images to feature prominently. The Oct 25 - 29 festival will also feature PNG's unique cultural diversity as delegation members in traditional finery meet and greet visitors to the PNG booth. For the first time in its 33 year history, the theme for the festival in 2006 is "Diving Papua New Guinea". For more information email: info@pngtourism.org.pg
Underwater photograph below taken by P. HARDT
Airlines
PNG Announces 3rd Brisbane Service
AIRLINES PNG is introducing a 3rd Friday service to Brisbane starting on Nov 3, 2006. Only 6 weeks after starting the Brisbane flights, the response from customers has been so overwhelming, a complete service will now allow clients to complete business visits and be home for the weekend. Also from Nov 25, APNG will put on extra weekend services to Cairns to fulfil the holiday season demand. APNG has also introduced children's fares on international and domestic services @ 75 percent of the full fare for each class. Children between the ages of 2 - 11 years qualify while infants are 10 percent of the adult full fare. Email: hotdeals@apng.com or Web: www.apng.com for more
details.
POM to Host National Fishing Titles
PREPARATIONS are already underway for Port Moresby to host the Gaming Fishing Association of Papua New Guinea 32nd National Titles. Organizers of the GFAPNG 32nd national titles say the April 7 - 16, 2007 event to be hosted by the Port Moresby Game Fishing Club would be bigger and better with some 300 anglers expected from PNG and overseas. Email info@pngtourism.org.pg for more information.
PNG's Largest Passenger Ship
PAPUA New Guinea's largest passenger ship MV Milne Bay cruised into Port Moresby's Fairfax Harbour on Nov 9, signaling a new era passenger shipping. MV Milne Bay departed Lae on Nov 7 on its maiden voyage to Alotau and Port Moresby. Owned by Brisbane based Peninsula Shipping Lines in partnership with local company Wamp Nga Holdings, the ship has a cargo capacity of more than 2000 passengers, 100 containers and 20 cars, and a cruising speed of 19 knots. Fares start from as low as K95 per passenger to K810 for the ocean view cabin and K1100 for the ocean view state rooms. For more info Email: inforpom@adsteam.com.pg
Tokua
Airport Upgrade
THE Papua New Guinea Government has committed K30 million for the extension and redevelopment of the Tokua Airport in East New Britain (ENB) to international standard. Once completed, Tokua will have the capability to cater for larger aircrafts direct from overseas. The Government has already released K3 million for work to begin. ENB is a part of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority's Model Province concept whereby it is among four provinces identified for development as stand alone tourism destinations. Scoping study for the 4 provinces - Madang, Milne Bay, ENB/Kavieng & Eastern Highlands - have been completed and PNGTPA will hand the final reports to the respective provincial governments soon. This is so that the provincial governments take ownership of the projects identified for development and drive them with the assistance of the national government through PNG TPA.
Discoverer Farewell Cruises
The famed MTS Discoverer is offering farewell cruises before it departs Papua New Guinea's shores in mid Nov, 2006. After 18 years of operating scheduled Expeditionary Cruises along the majestic Sepik River and to off shore islands in the Solomon Sea, including the fabled Trobriand Islands, the MTS Discoverer is departing PNG. The farewell cruises will be your final opportunity to cruise aboard her before she departs the country. The cruises are Madang-Sepik River-Madang, Oct 18/Oct 23 and Madang-Sepik River-Timbunke Oct 30/Nov 4. These are both for 5 nights @ K1,925 each. There are limited standby rates available. For more info Ph: (675) 854 1300 Email: melanesian@mtspng.com or visit the website: www.mtspng.com
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