Global Tourism Market is Open to Papua New Guinea : PM O'Neill

Papua New Guinea  Prime Minister Peter O’Neill  has called on the people of Milne Bay to take full advantage of the opportunities that are offered by the global tourism industry.
In receiving the inaugural Brisbane to Alotau flight on Friday, the Prime Minister said Papua New Guinea has a lot to offer, but to properly advance the tourism industry requires hard work and commitment.
“Global tourism is a massive industry that we have not fully taken advantage of and the opportunities are right there before us,” the Prime Minister said in Alotau.
“Our government continues to support the tourism sector in our country and will create the right environment to keep creating new opportunities.
“We have committed fifty million Kina to develop tourism infrastructure over the coming year to help us advance the sector in our country.
“The desire is there in our businesses and the tourists want to come to visit Papua New Guinea, so we have to further develop our facilities to world standards.
“The route from Brisbane to Alotau will soon open up a new market for visitors to our country, and we are looking north to flights from Asia direct to locations such as Alotau and Mt Hagen.”
The Prime Minister said Milne Bay has already demonstrated how it is able to draw in international tourists and keep them coming back.
“When we launched the cruise ship visits we opened up a new avenue for tourism in Papua New Guinea that has been very good for our country.
“Next year there will be 40 international cruise ships visiting Milne Bay and this will only continue to grow.”
The first Brisbane to Alotau flight included a number of travel industry agents from around Australia who will be the people who book travellers on future flights.
PM O’Neill listened to the observations made by Australian tourism industry representatives and said was important feedback as Papua New Guinea’s tourism capacity grows.
“Travel agents from Australia and around the world become our partners when they begin booking trips to Papua New Guinea.
“Papua New Guinea will ensure we provide the services and facilities that we promise to the global tourism market.
“We are building our reputation and we must work hard to compete against other tourism destinations in the region.
“We are also making special immigration allowances so that tourists arriving in Alotau, and other locations such as Mt Hagen or Kokopo, will receive their visas-on-arrival.
“Papua New Guinea has a lot to offer to the world and I am certain we have more to offer than any other country in the world.”
Attached images: PM O’Neill and Minister Charles Abel receiving the first flight of travelers on the inaugural Air Niugini Brisbane to Alotau flight, that included Minister Ben Micah and travel agents from around Australia.