PNG TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
APRIL 2022
MonthlyNews
The latest tourism news, views and announcements
In 2021, as a response to the devastating impact of the pandemic on our industry, PNGTIA resolved to form a Technical Working Group (TWG) to discuss how best to restart, rethink and regulate the future of PNG tourism in the face of the pandemic.
The composition of the TWG members include PNG TPA, Immigration, Customs, NAC, PNG IPA, IRC, PNG Air, Air Niugini, PNG DA, SAPNG and tourism industry members. Chairperson is Mr Andrew C. Abel, ML and Deputy Chairperson is Ms Ingrid Kuman. PNG TIA provides the Secretariat services.
Together with industry and government members, a key achievement of the TWG to date are Tourism Industry Protocols developed as our approach to addressing the Covid 19 pandemic and a return to normalcy for the industry. In consideration of the recent reopening of PNG’s borders for international inbound travelers and the Visa restrictions in place, however, we also advocate for exemptions on VOA to be lifted for a full return to normalcy for the industry.
PNG TIA welcomes the recent announcement by the National Pandemic Controller Commissioner David Manning to remove the Covid 19 testing requirements for inbound travelers to PNG.
Travel restrictions imposed due to the pandemic in the interest of public health and safety limited movement across international borders and greatly affected the tourism industry. As the peak industry body, we welcome this development and look forward to welcoming international visitors to our shores two years on.
Picture Courtesy - O2 Visuals PNG
As a response to the implications brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNG TPA) embarked on the Safe Traveller PNG (STPNG) program. This is a concept of guidelines and best practices with the aim of instilling the Niupela Pasin guidelines throughout the industry.
PNG TIA understands the significance of embracing the new normal and signed an MOU with TPA to work together to implement STPNG guidelines with our industry members.
The PNG TIA acknowledges Kokoda Trail as a major tourism drawcard for PNG. Local custodians and national agencies play an important role in our aspirations to promote investment and business connections in the Kokoda Trail tourism space thus PNG TIA would like to develop relationships with relevant stakeholders and looks forward to more collaboration in the future.
This year, PNG TIA in partnership with our partners is delighted to announce the hosting of the Kokoda Trail Tourism Forum under the theme “It’s time for Change”. The forum will be a day of discussions on the status of the Kokoda Trail and the way forward.
This is an opportunity for dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, to raise awareness on new developments and prepare the way forward in rebuilding the industry under the ‘niuplela pasin’ protocols after the devastating impact of COVID 19.
Details to be confirmed soon.
Picture Courtesy - Adventure Kokoda
PNG was represented at the World Expo Dubai 2020 from 01st October 2021 – 31st March 2022. PNG TPA upon invitation by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)participated with the objective to explore and venture into the UAE market and promote PNG as a desirable tourism destination.
An invitation was extended to our tourism industry members by TPA to send in their marketing collaterals for display at the 6-month expo. We congratulate and thank the expo team for efforts during the expo and look forward to the outcomes for our tourism industry members.
