Papua New Guinea to invest in tourism

The Papua New Guinea Government plans to invest PGK10 million (US$4.75 million) per year over the next five years to boost international visitation numbers.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neil said the new investment is part of his five-year plan to improve and invest in international tourism marketing and tourism infrastructure.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neil stated "tourism offers huge potential for the country, not just in the shape of foreign exchange earnings but just as importantly from the perspective job creation.

"Tourism generates a plethora of jobs in many, many areas, fishing, agri-business, cultural activities, building, sport, transport and hospitality to name just a few."

Prime Minister O'Neil explained that the country has some of the most beautiful natural assets to showcase to the world, adding "our scenery is breathtaking, our oceans and the opportunities they present to scuba divers and surfers are some of the best in the world, particularly the Kokoda Track, is legendary and everything is overlaid with one of the most diverse and colourful cultures to be found anywhere on the planet."

The Prime Minister added that his intention is to invest PGK10 million per year over the next five years into the country's tourism sector and to achieve a 20% increase in international tourism numbers by the next 24 months.

Image shows the Kokoda Trail. 

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