South Pacific Tourism Growing
TOURISM could be the single biggest industry in the South Pacific by 2010. South-pacific.travel chief executive officer Tony Everrit made the forecast based on research figures that tourism contributed USD$1.2 billion in 2003 and USD$1.5 in 2004 to the South Pacific. "If we can do nothing more than maintain that growth from 2003 and 2004 level, this industry could be delivering USD$2 billion by 2010," he said. "Now, that is very significant because it makes us the single biggest industry in the South Pacific, without question." Mr Everrit said one of the priorities of south-pacific.travel was to now raise the profile of tourism in the South Pacific, especially among leaders and key policy makers within the region.

New Tourism Minister For PNG
PAPUA New Guinea Tourism has a new Minister. Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare announced Hon Charles Abel MP as Minister for Culture & Tourism during swearing-in of his new Cabinet at Government House on August 29, 2007. Although a first time minister, Mr Abel is not new to the tourism business, as his family operates the popular Masurina Lodge in Alotau plus other tourism related activities. Minister Abel has vowed to do his best to develop tourism in PNG during his term in office.

Arrival figures on target
PAPUA New Guinea's international visitor arrival figures are on target for this year. PNG Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive officer Peter Vincent says the TPA's target for 2007 was 90,000 which we should easily account for if the current statistics are any indication. While there have been travel warnings by countries for their citizens not to visit PNG during the national elections, an increase of 27 percent was recorded in June compared to the same period in 2006. Both the holiday and business travel increased by 22 percent and 30 percent respectively for June. Both segments also increased by 23 and 25 percent respectively in July marking an overall increase of 21 percent for that month and  making it the seventh consecutive month for PNG to experience growth in visitor numbers.

Mount Hagen Show to be bigger in 2008
THE annual Mount Hagen Show will be bigger and better organised in 2008. Western Highlands Governor Tom Olga acknowledged that tourism is an important industry for the province's economy saying his government would ensure tourists get value for their money at future shows. The 2007 Mt Hagen show wasn't as big as in previous years. Some 300 tourists from Europe and America attended the show.

Lennon lured by the PNG Highlands
SEAN Lennon - the son of former Beatles legend John Lennon and Yoko Ono - has been lured by the wild splendor and mystic beauty of the Papua New Guinea Highlands that he is visiting on a 10-day holiday. Lennon flew in quietly on Sunday and will visit Tari and parts of the Sepik River before leaving PNG.

Upcoming Events
THE National Canoe Festival is on again with war canoes full of traditional warriors ready to set sail for Alotau on November 2, 3 & 4, 2007. Organisers say this year's festival will be more colourful than previous years. Also on the events calendar in the coming months is the Hiri Moale Festival in Port Moresby (Sept 14, 15 & 16 2007) and the PNG Experience Tourism Expo Sept 11 - 15 at the Holiday Inn. The annual Morobe Show is set for October 27 & 28, 2007 in Lae. Another exciting and fun filled remainder of the year is certain with lots of colourful events.

Airlink shuts down operations
THIRD level airline AIRLINK has shut down its operations throwing pre-booked tours into chaos. Many small Papua New Guinean tour operators, especially in the Highlands and Madang have been forced to charter other aircrafts at very high costs to take clients to places like Tari and the Sepik River region. Airlink was popular with tour operators taking tourists to remote locations of the country but shut its operations suddenly catching many unaware. Tour operators have been advised to inform clients of the airline's predicament to avoid any confusion in the future.

Capturing the magic of the islands
Following five hectic days of capturing the colourful Highlands scenery including the annual Mount Hagen Show, Tourism Promotion Authority's photography project moves to East New Britain and New Ireland. Master photographer David Kirkland and his understudy Colin Taimbari will photograph the magic of Rabaul from Sept 17 - 22, 2007 before capturing the pristine beauty of Kavieng from Sept 23 - 29. Industry partners in these provinces should contact their local tourism bureau if you have any photo ideas for our team.

Training the Trainers Workshop
A 'Train the Trainers' workshop for local operators was successfully completed in Minj Western Highlands Province , from August 20 -24, 2007. Tourism Resource Consultants of New Zealand facilitated the workshop for 23 operators from around Papua New Guinea . The training workshop was funded by NZAID which has continuously supported tourism training over the last two years.

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