Improve tourist attractions in PNG to attract more tourists, says ADB

Asian Development Bank

The number of people visiting Papua New Guinea increased by 166% in the 10 years from 2005 to 2015.

However, a new brief from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warns that continued visitor growth is not inevitable and that government action is needed to help attract more of the lucrative tourist market.

Despite the high growth in visitor numbers, tourism revenue in PNG remains low compared to other Pacific countries.

 The ADB brief, Tourism as a Driver of Growth in the Pacific: A Pathway to Growth and Prosperity for Pacific Island Countries, offers a number of recommendations, including some specific to PNG, to help the country grow its tourism sector.

As a first step, it recommends the national tourism policies be reviewed with a view to increasing visitor numbers and spending.

It also recommends fostering tourist attractions around the country, such as developing Madang as a tourist destination, especially for cruise ships, and increasing Mount Wilhelm’s tourism potential by improving access to it.

The brief also says restoration of the Baiyer River Sanctuary could attract tourists to the area.

The brief identifies tourism as a unique opportunity for economic growth in the coming decade that could help Pacific island countries self-sufficiently fund national objectives, such as improved health services, education and transport.
Along with generating employment and income growth across the region, tourism development can serve as a catalyst for the protection and preservation of natural and cultural assets, the brief notes.

Visitor numbers across six Pacific countries examined have increased by almost 50% in the past 10 years, but the brief warns that continued tourism sector growth will not happen automatically, and that its benefits will continue to be unevenly distributed unless governments take action.

The brief recommends countries create an enabling environment to facilitate tourism growth and maximise its benefits.

This means investing in infrastructure, human resources, and product development and marketing, as well as ensuring that tourism policy, strategy, and the regulatory environment are designed to grow the sector sustainably.

“While many Pacific countries are using tourism effectively to generate income and employment, opportunities exist to expand and increase its benefits and ensure its sustainability,” said Rob Jauncey, Regional Advisor with ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office.

“As Pacific countries develop and pursue strategies to grow their tourism sectors, ADB stands ready to offer insight and advice, and provide technical assistance, finance, or coordination support.”

The brief was produced by ADB’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), a regional technical assistance program undertaken in partnership with the governments of Australia and New Zealand.

PSDI works with ADB's 14 Pacific developing member countries to improve the enabling environment for business and to support inclusive, private sector-led economic growth.

It has operated in the region for 11 years and assisted with more than 300 reforms.

Garaina police infrastructure goes to the dogs

By SAMPSON BONAI in Wau

POLICE infrastructure at remote Garaina in Bulolo is rundown and needs to be urgently renovated.

Lone Garaina policeman Steven Sep pointing to the partly burnt police station building there. It requires urgent maintenance work.~Pictures by SAMPSON BONAI

Police reservist Steven Sep, who has singlehandedly maintained law-and-order in Garaina for the last 15 years, said the Police Department has forgotten about Garaina.

"Police infrastructure such as housing and the police station are completely rundown," he said.

"It's not fit for any policeman to live in and perform policing duties in Garaina.

"The four two-bedroom police houses are completely run down with leaking roofs, broken walls and flooring.

"The houses, which were built during the colonial era, have not seen any maintenance work being carried on them for many years."

Sep has had to use his own money to purchase materials to maintained the house.

"There is leakage in the  roof and whenever it rains we always put empty pots under to collect water," he said.

Lone Garaina policeman Steven Sep with his wife and children in front of their rundown two-bedroom police house there.

The lone policeman said the  crumbling police station was far worse.

There has been no maintenance whatsoever.

Part of the station was burnt down.

The general duties office is in a complete mess without any proper equipment such as desks, chairs and filing cabinet.

Old broken desks and tables are scattered everywhere.

Policeman Steven Sep inside the general duties office at Garaina Police Station. It is in a complete mess and has not seen any maintenance work for many years

 Old files are left lying around.

This is one of the filthiest and most rundown police stations in Morobe.

The walls and the floors have not seen any proper maintenance work carried.

Rats and other insects have taken over the station.

The police houses and the station are slowly crumbling under the forces of nature.

The department continues to turn a blind eye to its current deteriorating state.   

The cell block is a registered cell.

Sep still uses it to lock up suspects and transfer to Lae to appear in  court.

The reservist from nearby Sopa village in Garaina has experienced a lot of hardship performing his police duties over the last15 years.

IFC: US and European tourists are biggest spenders in PNG

The FINANCIAL -- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, September 21, 2018 — New research shows visitors from North America and Europe are the biggest holiday spenders in Papua New Guinea, with Europeans spending USD$3600 and North Americans spending USD$4000 per trip on average.

Two Italian tourists having fun with local Goroka dancers at the 2018 Goroka Show.~Picture courtesy of Tourism Promotion Authority

The figures were released by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Tourism Association at the 2018 Lukim PNG Nau, this year’s tourism expo showcasing the country.

The research, compiled from the International Visitor Survey, shows travel agents play a key role in North Americans deciding to travel to Papua New Guinea, while Europeans tend to use travel guides and the internet to plan and book their trips independently online.

Drawing on data from six months, the research reveals North Americans are primarily interested in cultural activities and tours, while the market is also an important one for bird watchers. For the North American market, Papua New Guinea is likely viewed as a holiday destination for a “once in a lifetime trip” with the majority of travelers over 60 years of age.

Previous studies have highlighted the importance of Papua New Guinea growing its tourism by developing niche markets such as cultural, adventure and historical tourism.

Overall Papua New Guinea is heavily reliant on the Australian market for tourists, with Australia making up 48 percent of total visitors in the first six months of this year. The Australian holiday market is predominately a mature male market with most visitors between 40 and 70 years of age, and highly interested in active and adventure holidays.

The findings highlight that diving is an important activity for Asian travelers to Papua New Guinea, with potential to increase arrivals to the country from tourists interested in dive and World War Two experiences

Overall, the first six months of this year saw more than 34,600 visitors to Papua New Guinea, contributing some PGK $260 million (USD$78 million) to the country’s economy. That number is set to be overtaken in the second half of the year with Papua New Guinea hosting APEC – the Asia Pacific Economic Forum.

IFC’s tourism work in Papua New Guinea is focused on supporting the development of tourism business, improving tourism-related conditions, and helping attract investment in the tourism sector. IFC is also working with the World Bank to improve tourism services in the targeted destinations of East New Britain and Milne Bay.

Bougainville farmers showcase quality cocoa at chocolate festival

Australian High Commission

Thousands of chocolate lovers have descended on Buka to attend the annual Bougainville Chocolate Festival.

Bougainville Chocolate Festival

Held 21-22 September, the festival is an opportunity for cocoa producers to connect with international markets, and to improve the quality and production of Bougainville cocoa.

Chocolate made from Bougainville cocoa

 In its third year, the event features over 90 stalls, judging competitions and musical performances.

Chocolate made from last year's finest Bougainville cocoa

Speaking at the opening, Andrew Egan from the Australian High Commission acknowledged the growth of the event in just three years and the positive international feedback being received on locally-produced cocoa beans.

Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Andrew Egan with ABG President John Momis

“Cocoa grown in Bougainville is unique.

"The chocolate made from the cocoa here has a distinct flavour which chocolatiers from around the world are noticing,” said Egan.

Cocoa beans on display at the Bougainville Chocolate Festival

Bougainville cocoa on display at the Bougainville chocolate festival

“In partnership with the governments of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, Australia is proud to support the festival as it continues to grow, and to further develop the local cocoa industry.”

Traditional dancers at the Bougainville chocolate festival

Following previous festivals, international cocoa buyers and chocolate producers are now using Bougainville beans for high quality chocolate in the Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe.

A key aspect of the festival is building relationships and sharing knowledge across the industry.

Officials and guests at the Bougainville Chocolate Festival

Chocolatiers and chocolate buyers from Australia attened the event, with three on the judging panel for the chocolate tasting competition.

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research has also been part of a project to improve the cocoa value chain and provide chocolate-making equipment to be tasted over the festival.

Developing the cocoa value chain in Bougainville is part of Australia's partnership with Governments of Papua New Guinea, Bougainville and New Zealand

Many of the smallholder farmers at the festival were recipients of grant funding through the Commodity Support Facility.

Australia provided K10.4 million to 26 farming groups reaching 1300 farmers and their families throughout Bougainville.

The grants are being used to increase the quantity and quality of cocoa, and to facilitate better access to markets.

The Bougainville Chocolate Festival is an initiative of the Autonomous Bougainville Government in partnership with the governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand.

Bougainville’s cocoa industry benefits from improved roads

Australian High Commission

Bougainville’s cocoa industry and wider economy has received an important boost from completion of an Australian-funded project to reseal more than seven kilometres of Bougainville’s trunk road.

Minister for Technical Services Luke Karaston, Minister Counsellor Australian High Commission Andrew Egan, Autonomous Region of Bougainville Vice President Hon Raymond Masono and local Chief Glen Tovirika meet with local smallholders to discuss how the improved road surface supports Bougainville’s cocoa industry.

The K7 million project to repair and reseal the national highway in Tinputz has been delivered as part of the PNG-Australia partnership.

The local community celebrates the opening of the new road.

The works between Iaun Primary School and Pitpit Bridge have also upgraded the drainage and enhanced safety for all road users.

 Iaun Primary School prepares for the festivities 

Ilon Sammy, a local cocoa smallholder, is very impressed with the change that the new road surface is already bringing to her community.

“The smoother, safer road is reducing travel times and improving my connection to markets in Arawa and Buka.”

Minister for Technical Services Hon Luke Karaston, Minister Counsellor Australian High Commission Andrew Egan, Autonomous Region of Bougainville Vice President Raymond Masono and William Nakin Member for North Bougainville cutting the ribbon at the new pedestrian crossing next to Iaun Primary School

Minister for Technical Services, Luke Karaston, values the essential ongoing maintenance of the region’s road network.


“This project is part of Australia’s long term partnership in Bougainville.

Minister for Technical Services Luke Karaston (sixth from left), Autonomous Region of Bougainville Vice President Raymond Masono and Minister Counsellor Australian High Commission Andrew Egan with the contractor at the start of the project

"Together we have delivered improved roads in Arawa and Buin towns, improved the key economic connection from Arawa to Kieta Port, and continue to maintain more than 300km of our national highways across the regions.

“Well maintained roads are crucial for economic development in a prosperous Bougainville.

"I am proud to be able to support our cocoa industry with this project.”

Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor, Andrew Egan, was delighted to inspect the completed project.

“It’s a privilege to be in Bougainville for the Chocolate Festival this week, and to witness on the ground how improved roads can help Bougainville’s cocoa industry grow and create economic opportunity across communities” he said.

The works provided employment and training to 45 local residents in a wide range of roles and was delivered through the Papua New Guinea -Australia Transport Sector Support Program.

Tourism Minister Tammur calls for national pride

PAPUA NEW GUINEANS have been called on to be proud of their identity as they commemorate the country’s 43rd Independence Anniversary.

Tourism Arts and Culture Minister Emil Tammur made the call while opening the 62nd Goroka Show last Saturday in front of thousands of people including 150 cultural groups from across PNG and more than 1000 international tourists.

Tourism Arts and Culture Minister Emil Tammur with  the famous Simbai dancers of Madang at the 2018 Goroka Show.

Two Italian tourists having fun with local Goroka dancers at the 2018 Goroka Show.

Tammur said unlike many other countries in the world, "we are a unique nation of 850-plus unique languages and over 1000 different tribes and cultures".

"More importantly we own 80 percent of the land as individuals, clans and tribes," he said.

"What this means is that we have the right to determine what sort of economic developments we want for ourselves on our land.

"We must use these birthrights to embrace tourism and agriculture developments as real sustainable industries.

"Oil, gas, gold and copper will benefit only a few, including the rich.

"Tourism and agriculture will benefit the little ordinary people right in the rural communities and for a long time into the future."

Tammur commended organisers of the Goroka Show including its chairlady Keryn Hargreaves for continuously and successfully hosting the event over so many years.

He said cultural festivals in PNG were becoming challenging and difficult to host because of the high costs.

Tammur thanked State entities such as the Tourism Promotion Authority and the National Gaming Control Board for their funding support to cultural festivals including the Goroka Show.

He commended the corporate sponsors and other stakeholders saying their continued support would be needed moving forward into the future.

Tammur said his Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture was working on a policy submission to Parliament for the National Government to fund major cultural festivals through the national budget.

He said maintaining and promoting  cultural festivals was "not only important for tourism purposes for our identity as a unique and culturally diverse nation".

Tammur encouraged Papua New Guineans to be positive advocates for meaningful development and change within their own communities by appreciating the decision by the founding fathers to gain Independence for our country instead of being critical of the Government all the time. 

Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu MP told show goers it was his government’s aim to revive tourism in his province and bring it back to its glory days as the tourism hub of the Highlands.

He said his government would give priority to the tourism sector in the 2019 provincial budget through increased funding.

He said they would also work with the Tourism Promotion Authority and other stakeholders to grow the province’s tourism sector.

The 62nd Goroka Show under the theme ,Promoting Agriculture and Tourism – Our Culture Our Identity' started with the Pikinini Festival on Friday and ended on Sunday – Independence Day. 

75th Anniversary of Battle of Finschhafen

Finschhafen article in The National Weekender today commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Scarlet Beach Landing and the Battle of Finschhafen tomorrow.

It also promotes Beautiful Finschhafen as one of the best untouched tourism destinations in PNG.

Please click to enlarge and read article below: