Tourism marred by challenges

Papua New Guinea aims to improve and grow its tourism sector so it can contribute to the country’s revenue. In a
recent study released by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, PNG can grow it’s tourism sector because
it has good international connectivity and a unique natural beauty. But there are also challenges present.

THE scope to grow the country’s tourism sector is considerable, according to a recent study released by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI).
It said the country’s strengths – good international connectivity and unique natural beauty – were matched by major challenges, particularly unreliable infrastructure and a perception PNG was unsafe for travellers.
“With improvements in these areas, as well as increased government support and collaboration with the private sector, potential is strong for PNG to develop its tourism sector, beginning with exploitation of niche tourism opportunities.”

Transport and connectivity
The PSDI study revealed that in 2019, Port Moresby had direct flights to 11 international destinations.
They included inter-regional routes (Chuuk, Honiara, Nadi, Pohnpei, and Port Vila), plus services into Australia (Brisbane, Cairns, and Sydney) and Asia (Hong Kong, China, Manila and Singapore).
All services were operated by PNG’s national airline, Air Niugini, which had the largest number of international flights.
Australian routes were also serviced by Qantas and Virgin Australia, while Solomon Airlines operated flights to and from Honiara. Philippine Airlines operated flights to and from Manila.
Domestic travel within PNG can be difficult. The country has no nationwide road network and even Port Moresby lacks interprovincial connections.
More than two-thirds of roads are in poor condition, and many – an estimated 75 per cent – become inaccessible at certain times of year due to flooding and landslides. The main mode of transport for coastal communities is by sea. However, coastal shipping services are limited and adherence to safety standards is inconsistent.
Most tourists travel domestically by air.
PNG has around 52 commercial domestic airports, which are serviced by two carriers – Air Niugini’s domestic arm, Link PNG, and PNG Air.
Air Niugini is a state-owned enterprise, while PNG Air is a listed company majority-owned by PNG’s national superannuation fund.
Domestic flights can be expensive, often do not link up with international arrivals and departures and are plagued by frequent cancellations and delays.
Many provincial airports require improvements to infrastructure and ground handling operations.

Airline
Air Niugini in a statement on Tuesday said following the resumption of jet services to Wewak last week, the airline has also resumed its Fokker jet services to Madang effective yesterday.
The resumption of Fokker flights followed completion of runway maintenance works by the National Airports Corporation (NAC).
Since the works on the airport runway commenced early this year, Link PNG had been operating to Madang airport using smaller Dash-8 aircraft, but with passenger numbers restricted to as few as 20 at times because of the shortened runway.
For a period of time in July/August, the runway was closed to even Dash-8 size aircraft.
Air Niugini general manager commercial, Dominic Kaumu said the last months of restricted operations at Madang had been inconvenient for both the airline’s customers, business houses in Madang, and the airline.
“However we understand runways must be maintained to the highest standard and we are pleased the works are now complete and we can resume our Fokker 100/70 jet services into Madang airport,” he said.

Madang as a tourism hub
Madang Tourism Industry Association chairman Sir Peter Barter yesterday told The National that resumption of jet services to Madang yesterday was welcomed by the sector.
“The Madang Resort and the tourist industry in general has suffered severely, firstly by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions and further by the partial closure over the past three months which has devastated the tourism industry in Madang,” Sir Peter said.
“The MTS is preparing special packages for both Air Niugini and Airlines of PNG offering substantial discounts to help restore local tourism and hopefully international tourism which is almost entirely dependent on vaccination which to date have been alarmingly low.
“Air Niugini have also begun offering low airfares to Madang with conditions.
“It is hoped that we can combine these low airfares with discounted accommodation and services which will help restore the flow of domestic tourism.
“In addition to the immediate discounts being offered, packages have been prepared to include air, accommodating, diving and tours and a special 10-day Christmas/New Year package providing an opportunity for locals to spend time at the Madang Resort and explore beautiful Madang.
“One of our regrets is that the upgrade of the airport has not included the extension needed to land the B737 aircraft, plus the delay in constructing the new terminal.
“The travel industry in Madang has requested NAC to increase the length of the runway which is estimated to cost around K8 million.”

Improvement to airport infrastructure is being associated with thriving tourism economy.