No peace, harmony, no tourism growth for PNG
 |
| Image for illustration only. For image content, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkxsAZtzXJ4 (TOP 10 Places to Visit in Papua New Guinea) |
No peace, harmony, no tourism growth for Papua New Guinea
PORT MORESBY: More than four decades after achieving Independence from Australia, Papua New Guinea (PNG) is still struggling to grow its tourism industry.
Comparatively, the neighbouring and tiny Fiji is doing far much better in terms of numbers for tourist arrivals and revenue.
Many agree that law and order issues, namely public security, are giving PNG a bad image, discouraging tourism players and holidaymakers from considering the country as their destination.
It doesn’t need the brain of a rocket scientist to tell everyone that Papua New Guineans need to change their ways, embrace peace and harmony, win the hearts and minds of tourists with smiles to gain their confidence to visit PNG.
Unless that confidence is achieved, no amount of promotions will get the rest of the world to look at PNG seriously as a worthwhile holiday destination.
The National had this report on tourism published:
Live in peace, harmony for tourism growth in PNG
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has some of the most stunning cultural heritage and tourism attractions in the world. Yet, in terms of tourist arrivals and revenue earnings, it is not even close to neighbouring and tiny Fiji. Why is that so? The National’s senior writer MALUM NALU checked it out at last week’s Promoting PNG Positively Online workshop.
PNG cultural heritage features 800 spoken languages from 600 tribes nationwide.
However, the most widely spoken language in this Christian state are English, Pidgin English (Tok Pisin) and Hiri Motu.
At last week’s PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) workshop, the majority agreed that the country’s perceived law and order woes are the biggest damper and threat to the tourism industry.
No matter how much effort the Government and industry players put up to attract tourists, public security must be enhanced and the negative image wiped out.
Only then is there any chance and hope for the tourism industry to flourish or leapfrog to greater progress and new heights.
In short, PNG’s tourism industry’s progress and growth pace depend on some eight million Papua New Guineans from 600 tribes to unite and embrace peace and harmony for their country.
However, the most widely spoken language in this Christian state are English, Pidgin English (Tok Pisin) and Hiri Motu.
At last week’s PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) workshop, the majority agreed that the country’s perceived law and order woes are the biggest damper and threat to the tourism industry.
No matter how much effort the Government and industry players put up to attract tourists, public security must be enhanced and the negative image wiped out.
Only then is there any chance and hope for the tourism industry to flourish or leapfrog to greater progress and new heights.
In short, PNG’s tourism industry’s progress and growth pace depend on some eight million Papua New Guineans from 600 tribes to unite and embrace peace and harmony for their country.
Kuaningi … everyone in PNG can be “tourism ambassadors” in cyberspace
TPA marketing director Alice Kuaningi says everyone in PNG can be “tourism ambassadors” in cyberspace through their mobile phones.
“Digital marketing has been our marketing strategy from last year (2018) and we intend to push this digital reach until 2022,” she added.
“Internet marketing is the pillar of our strategy to reach out to the world, and to promote our country positively in cyberspace or cyberworld.
“We are all on our electronic and digital gadgets, like mobile phones, cameras, video cameras etc. There are thus limitless way for us to help others see PNG positively as a tourist haven online,” she added.
“We are all, thus, natural tourism ambassadors. Rather than being ‘keyboard warriors’, projecting our country negatively, it is incumbent on us as law-abiding loyal citizens to help promote PNG as a tourist haven for culture, heritage and eco-tourism,” Alice stressed.
TPA marketing director Alice Kuaningi says everyone in PNG can be “tourism ambassadors” in cyberspace through their mobile phones.
“Digital marketing has been our marketing strategy from last year (2018) and we intend to push this digital reach until 2022,” she added.
“Internet marketing is the pillar of our strategy to reach out to the world, and to promote our country positively in cyberspace or cyberworld.
“We are all on our electronic and digital gadgets, like mobile phones, cameras, video cameras etc. There are thus limitless way for us to help others see PNG positively as a tourist haven online,” she added.
“We are all, thus, natural tourism ambassadors. Rather than being ‘keyboard warriors’, projecting our country negatively, it is incumbent on us as law-abiding loyal citizens to help promote PNG as a tourist haven for culture, heritage and eco-tourism,” Alice stressed.
TPA chief executive officer Jerry Agus has urged Papua New Guineans, especially those in the Southern Highlands, to tell their “positive stories” to the rest of the world.
“The TPA is backed by the Southern Highlands government and administration in a major positive image rebuilding effort. This is why we are launching this major tourism drive here,” he said in Mendi on May 3. “Our image as a tourist attraction was battered in the 2017 General Election that saw the torching of a Link PNG Dash 8 aircraft and government buildings.
“Such destructions must never recur for the sake of our and country’s future. We must all embrace unity, peace and harmony.
“In the media, you only see Southern Highlands featured as tribal fighting zones, road blocks and killings.
“These are all negative stories. We must all play our role to live in peace and unity,” he told a large crowd in Momei Oval.
“With internet access getting more and more affordable, whatever little incidents in Kutubu or Upper Mendi are relayed to the rest of the world in seconds.
“Many times tourists don’t want to come here because of such negative information and news. Even Papua New Guineans regard Southern Highlands as a dangerous place.
“Whenever Southern Highlands is mentioned, everyone makes a U-turn, saying Mendi is a dangerous place and discourages tourists from making visits.
“There are so many good people in Southern Highlands but because of the minority, we all suffer from the bad images.
“We must all start living in peace and harmony, and convince all that Mendi and Southern Highlands are not full of bad people, That we have changed for the better and are more civilised,” he added.
Provincial administrator Joseph Cajetan said a two-day tourism training workshop was participated by more than 50 guesthouse operators, tourism product owners and other tourism-related industry players.
“This is part of our efforts to prepare for the Southern Highlands provincial show later this year. Prior to the workshop, TPA officers also visited all Southern Highlands districts to make a stock take of its tourism potential products and attractions.
“The TPA is backed by the Southern Highlands government and administration in a major positive image rebuilding effort. This is why we are launching this major tourism drive here,” he said in Mendi on May 3. “Our image as a tourist attraction was battered in the 2017 General Election that saw the torching of a Link PNG Dash 8 aircraft and government buildings.
“Such destructions must never recur for the sake of our and country’s future. We must all embrace unity, peace and harmony.
“In the media, you only see Southern Highlands featured as tribal fighting zones, road blocks and killings.
“These are all negative stories. We must all play our role to live in peace and unity,” he told a large crowd in Momei Oval.
“With internet access getting more and more affordable, whatever little incidents in Kutubu or Upper Mendi are relayed to the rest of the world in seconds.
“Many times tourists don’t want to come here because of such negative information and news. Even Papua New Guineans regard Southern Highlands as a dangerous place.
“Whenever Southern Highlands is mentioned, everyone makes a U-turn, saying Mendi is a dangerous place and discourages tourists from making visits.
“There are so many good people in Southern Highlands but because of the minority, we all suffer from the bad images.
“We must all start living in peace and harmony, and convince all that Mendi and Southern Highlands are not full of bad people, That we have changed for the better and are more civilised,” he added.
Provincial administrator Joseph Cajetan said a two-day tourism training workshop was participated by more than 50 guesthouse operators, tourism product owners and other tourism-related industry players.
“This is part of our efforts to prepare for the Southern Highlands provincial show later this year. Prior to the workshop, TPA officers also visited all Southern Highlands districts to make a stock take of its tourism potential products and attractions.
“Southern Highlands has so much potential in tourism, arts and culture. We are fully committed to revive the provincial show. This province is special and unique.
“It borders seven provinces and runs from the Highlands to the coast. We have different cultures and languages. We have so many tourism products that we can showcase,” he added.
“It borders seven provinces and runs from the Highlands to the coast. We have different cultures and languages. We have so many tourism products that we can showcase,” he added.
Trostle … wants to see youths of this nation uniting and rallying for a positive image of PNG in cyberspace
FILMMAKER Micah Trostle says it is very encouraging to see young Papua New Guineans positively promoting the country online.
Micah’s “Papua New Guinea in 360” virtual reality video project, filmed in venues nationwide, was launched by TPA CEO Jerry Agus last week and has already attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers online.
The 20-year-old grew up with his Bible translator parents at Ukarumpa in the Aiyura Valley of Eastern Highlands and is now studying in an American university.
“It is so cool to see other young people, such as photographers, videographers, artistes, and so many others working together to build PNG’s international image, trying to change the way the world sees PNG,” he said.
“As we all know, not everything about PNG is positive online,” he said, thanking TPA for giving “a kid who grew up in PNG” the chance to film the country.
“I’m really passionate about things that I love, and I want other people to love them as well. One of those things is PNG,” he added.
Trostle said travelling back and forth between the US and PNG made him realised that many people did not know where PNG was.
“People were thinking that it was in Africa, that the people were cannibals with dangerous cities.
“It is really not that, but that’s what the international media focuses on.
“Another thing is that we don’t always give the international media a chance to see the positives.
“There are people on Facebook who are feeding on this ‘PNG is dangerous, and PNG is this and that’.
“We have put together this video that shows that PNG isn’t what the international media says it is. I believe that this video, which we’ve worked so hard on, will get millions of viewers and thousands of shares.
“My heart, at the end of the day, is that people the world over will see PNG for what it really is. I want to see youths of this nation uniting and rallying for a positive image of PNG in cyberspace,” he added.
FILMMAKER Micah Trostle says it is very encouraging to see young Papua New Guineans positively promoting the country online.
Micah’s “Papua New Guinea in 360” virtual reality video project, filmed in venues nationwide, was launched by TPA CEO Jerry Agus last week and has already attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers online.
The 20-year-old grew up with his Bible translator parents at Ukarumpa in the Aiyura Valley of Eastern Highlands and is now studying in an American university.
“It is so cool to see other young people, such as photographers, videographers, artistes, and so many others working together to build PNG’s international image, trying to change the way the world sees PNG,” he said.
“As we all know, not everything about PNG is positive online,” he said, thanking TPA for giving “a kid who grew up in PNG” the chance to film the country.
“I’m really passionate about things that I love, and I want other people to love them as well. One of those things is PNG,” he added.
Trostle said travelling back and forth between the US and PNG made him realised that many people did not know where PNG was.
“People were thinking that it was in Africa, that the people were cannibals with dangerous cities.
“It is really not that, but that’s what the international media focuses on.
“Another thing is that we don’t always give the international media a chance to see the positives.
“There are people on Facebook who are feeding on this ‘PNG is dangerous, and PNG is this and that’.
“We have put together this video that shows that PNG isn’t what the international media says it is. I believe that this video, which we’ve worked so hard on, will get millions of viewers and thousands of shares.
“My heart, at the end of the day, is that people the world over will see PNG for what it really is. I want to see youths of this nation uniting and rallying for a positive image of PNG in cyberspace,” he added.
Leoshina … we have so many spectacular destinations to show
Miss South Pacific and Miss PNG 2018 Leoshina Kariha, who is PNG TPA’s ambassador, says upholding the image of the country is everyone’s responsibility.
“We also have the power to change the image of our country for the better. I realised the immense power of social media to make or break when I contested in the Miss PNG Pageant.
“I had always shied away from the social media and never realised the positive impacts that could be achieved.
“Whatever is posted on Facebook or Instagram immediately goes global. Social media, at the moment, is more influential and powerful than ever before.
“It is currently the most used media tool in the world and accessible globally, including the many rural areas and in PNG,” she added.
Leoshina said the theme of the workshop, “Promoting PNG Positively Online”, could not have come at a more opportune time.
“We can use video or vlogging to promote PNG positively, focusing on building followers.
“Young Papua New Guineans should proudly display their positive personalities to show what we really are to the rest of the world,” she added.
Leoshina said vlogs could be shared in social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and others to help promote PNG as an ideal tourist destination.
“PNGTPA launched its new interactive website last December. More online presence can help PNG reach out to the millions of travellers in the world.
“Still pictures, short posts and recommendations on Facebook and Instagram can also add to that.
“A picture is worth a thousand words. And we have so many spectacular destinations to show,” she added.
Miss South Pacific and Miss PNG 2018 Leoshina Kariha, who is PNG TPA’s ambassador, says upholding the image of the country is everyone’s responsibility.
“We also have the power to change the image of our country for the better. I realised the immense power of social media to make or break when I contested in the Miss PNG Pageant.
“I had always shied away from the social media and never realised the positive impacts that could be achieved.
“Whatever is posted on Facebook or Instagram immediately goes global. Social media, at the moment, is more influential and powerful than ever before.
“It is currently the most used media tool in the world and accessible globally, including the many rural areas and in PNG,” she added.
Leoshina said the theme of the workshop, “Promoting PNG Positively Online”, could not have come at a more opportune time.
“We can use video or vlogging to promote PNG positively, focusing on building followers.
“Young Papua New Guineans should proudly display their positive personalities to show what we really are to the rest of the world,” she added.
Leoshina said vlogs could be shared in social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and others to help promote PNG as an ideal tourist destination.
“PNGTPA launched its new interactive website last December. More online presence can help PNG reach out to the millions of travellers in the world.
“Still pictures, short posts and recommendations on Facebook and Instagram can also add to that.
“A picture is worth a thousand words. And we have so many spectacular destinations to show,” she added.
Marape: Security issues hinder tourism growth
PRIME Minister James Marape has declared that law-and-order issues are the major hindrance to PNG’s tourism industry progress and growth.
“Law-and-order woes and issues must be effective and adequately addressed for our tourism industry to really flourish,” he told The National in an interview soon after his election as the country’s 8th prime minister.
“I don’t see a massive erosion in our cultural heritage over the next 10 to 15 years (to attract tourists),” he said.
“We will still maintain it (cultural heritage).
That leads us to prioritise our agriculture sector and industry. When people see money in coffee, cocoa, growing cabbages and broccoli, going into their pockets, they will treasure living in peace and harmony.
“We hope to turn all these around in five years. Our country can then become safer and, naturally, tourism will also benefit.
“Law-and-order woes and issues must be effective and adequately addressed for our tourism industry to really flourish,” he told The National in an interview soon after his election as the country’s 8th prime minister.
“I don’t see a massive erosion in our cultural heritage over the next 10 to 15 years (to attract tourists),” he said.
“We will still maintain it (cultural heritage).
That leads us to prioritise our agriculture sector and industry. When people see money in coffee, cocoa, growing cabbages and broccoli, going into their pockets, they will treasure living in peace and harmony.
“We hope to turn all these around in five years. Our country can then become safer and, naturally, tourism will also benefit.
“That (tourism) is something that is really big out there but you can’t talk about tourism when we have a law-and-order issues and problems.
“It (tourism) is there, let’s work on it, but let’s transfer money to our people in other areas first. Of course, we will help to grow established tourism destinations, such as Madang.
“It is something that we will work on for progress and growth of our tourism industry and to bring in foreign revenue,” he added.
Although latest research shows PNG’s tourism industry is on the rise with 95,000 air travellers and K690 million in spending, it is far inferior to Fiji which netted some K3 billion last year.
And last year, the figures were likely up due to the hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit.
The research was attributed to World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) in May 2019.
The air arrivals were part of about 195,000 international visitors, with the overall figure including people arriving by cruise ships as well as those who arrived in the country for short and long-term employment.
The International Visitor Survey (IVS) undertaken by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the PNG Tourism Association and the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute, shows that visitors arriving by air for tourism, business and to visit friends and relatives increased by 10% from 2017.
The biggest spending by those 95,000 visitors, was for accommodation, airfares, food and drinks.
Business travellers are still the largest group of visitors, making up 50% of people arriving by air.
“While the research shows visitors nominated safety and security as well as infrastructure as key areas for improvement, it is significant that more than 90% of people said they would return to the country,” IFC resident representative for PNG John Vivian said.
But the overall research shows PNG remains heavily reliant on the Australian market for visitors, with Australians accounting for just over half of all the visitors,” he added.
Australians are predominately visiting the key tourism sites in the Central and Northern provinces with keen interest in historical and adventure tourism.
“Tourism cuts across all sectors and needs concerted efforts of relevant sector agencies to address issues such as law and order and infrastructure developments,” PNG TPA chief executive officer Jerry Agus said.
“Every Papua New Guinean is also encouraged to embrace the importance of tourism by doing their bit to help lift the image and profile of the country as this responsibility does not revolve around only the Government and TPA,” he added.
The research points to increasing interest by visitors to travel to provinces like Central, Morobe and Northern, with a 25% rise in the number of visitors to Milne Bay and a 17% increase in visitors to East New Britain.
Both areas are designated as future key tourism destinations, bringing in millions of kina to local economies.
The 2018 IVS also explored niche market tourism for the first time – adventure and cultural tourists, accounting for some 20% of holidaymakers.
“It (tourism) is there, let’s work on it, but let’s transfer money to our people in other areas first. Of course, we will help to grow established tourism destinations, such as Madang.
“It is something that we will work on for progress and growth of our tourism industry and to bring in foreign revenue,” he added.
Although latest research shows PNG’s tourism industry is on the rise with 95,000 air travellers and K690 million in spending, it is far inferior to Fiji which netted some K3 billion last year.
And last year, the figures were likely up due to the hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit.
The research was attributed to World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) in May 2019.
The air arrivals were part of about 195,000 international visitors, with the overall figure including people arriving by cruise ships as well as those who arrived in the country for short and long-term employment.
The International Visitor Survey (IVS) undertaken by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the PNG Tourism Association and the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute, shows that visitors arriving by air for tourism, business and to visit friends and relatives increased by 10% from 2017.
The biggest spending by those 95,000 visitors, was for accommodation, airfares, food and drinks.
Business travellers are still the largest group of visitors, making up 50% of people arriving by air.
“While the research shows visitors nominated safety and security as well as infrastructure as key areas for improvement, it is significant that more than 90% of people said they would return to the country,” IFC resident representative for PNG John Vivian said.
But the overall research shows PNG remains heavily reliant on the Australian market for visitors, with Australians accounting for just over half of all the visitors,” he added.
Australians are predominately visiting the key tourism sites in the Central and Northern provinces with keen interest in historical and adventure tourism.
“Tourism cuts across all sectors and needs concerted efforts of relevant sector agencies to address issues such as law and order and infrastructure developments,” PNG TPA chief executive officer Jerry Agus said.
“Every Papua New Guinean is also encouraged to embrace the importance of tourism by doing their bit to help lift the image and profile of the country as this responsibility does not revolve around only the Government and TPA,” he added.
The research points to increasing interest by visitors to travel to provinces like Central, Morobe and Northern, with a 25% rise in the number of visitors to Milne Bay and a 17% increase in visitors to East New Britain.
Both areas are designated as future key tourism destinations, bringing in millions of kina to local economies.
The 2018 IVS also explored niche market tourism for the first time – adventure and cultural tourists, accounting for some 20% of holidaymakers.
Left: A roadside stream outside Mendi, Southern Highlands.
– Nationalpic by MALUM NALU
Comments
Post a Comment