Tourism

As a country of over 600 islands, 800 languages and unmatched biodiversity, culture and nature are the primary attractions for visitors to Papua New Guinea. Although the country has a long history of tourism, the sector has remained largely undeveloped and accounts for only a small part of PNG’s economy. As the costs of travel are falling, thanks to factors such as an increase in hotel rooms and the depreciation of the kina, PNG is becoming a more attractive destination. Airport infrastructure is being upgraded and the country’s main airports are under renovation. The National Airports Corporation is also looking at the possibility of linking more of the regional airports to international destinations. Meanwhile, cruises are becoming a popular way to see the country and an increasing number of cruise operators are adding PNG to their itineraries. Still, PNG faces many challenges; given its terrain and environment it will be difficult for the country to beat neighboring Thailand and Indonesia in terms of sheer visitor numbers. However, with selective investments and the right policies, the country could find itself with a strong and growing local tourism industry. This chapter contains an interview with Tony Honey, Owner, Tufi Resort.