INTERVIEW PAPUA NEW GUINEA
ROBIN RUSSELL-PAVIER In Person With...
Papua New Guinea is a genuine unknown holiday destination in the UK but that’s about to change with the opening of its first tourist office here
ROBIN RUSSELL-PAVIER Account Director, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority
Can you tell us a little about Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a tourist destination? It’s one of the last truly untouched destinations in the world. A trip to PNG is a true adventure with amazing scenery, cultural experiences and much more. It will suit travellers who are looking
for an exciting alternative to other places in the region and could be combined with a visit to Australia or as a holiday destination in its own right. When selling PNG you should really factor in around 10 days to see the country properly. Clients will fly into the capital, Port
Moresby, and from here head off to the Highlands to experience the indigenous culture and wildlife, before flying to a dive resort to experience the country’s underwater wonders. It’s important to remember that clients
need a visa for PNG. These can either be obtained in advance from the High Commission in London, or on arrival.
What are PNG's main attractions? You’ll find superb diving in West New Britain, New Ireland and Tufi on the mainland, among other places. There’s amazing birdlife in the Highlands around Mt Hagen as well as an array of different cultural attractions. There is also trekking with a number of famous trails such as the Kokoda Track and the Black Cat trail which are ideal for established trekkers.
How advanced is PNG's tourism infrastructure? There are excellent hotels in major locations such as Port Moresby while in the regions there are guest houses and simple village stays. The roads can be a challenge so expect some bumps and the odd delay! The domestic air network is pretty extensive and really offers the only feasible route into many locations, making internal flying an important part of any itinerary. Your clients will get to see some great scenery as they come in to land!
How do UK visitors currently travel to PNG? There are a variety of ways but the simplest is from Singapore with a connection with Air Niugini four times a week. Your clients can also connect via Hong Kong, Tokyo and, of course, from neighbouring Australia with flights from Brisbane and Cairns.
Is PNG offered by many UK tour operators? Tour operators who currently feature PNG include Audley Travel, Dive Worldwide and Reef and Rainforest Tours. As the destination becomes more established the number of tour operators featuring the destination will increase.
Why has the decision been taken now to establish representation in the UK? We feel that UK travellers are hungry for exciting new places to visit. Papua New Guinea is still a largely unknown destination in the UK but there is a huge amount of interest in diving, culture, bird-watching and trekking and PNG is just the place to experience all of these as it’s probably the adventure capital of the world!
How many UK visitors does Papua New Guinea currently receive? Do you have a 2012/13 target? In 2010 there were just over 5000 visitors from the UK. At this early stage of the year we have not set targets for 2013 but we are seeing a healthy increase in visitors year on year from the UK, hence the reason for having an office in London.
"The domestic air network offers the only feasible routes to many locations, making internal flights an important element of any PNG itinerary"
What plans do you have to promote Papua New Guinea to the UK travel trade? We are planning roadshows, promotions and a presence at key trade events here, in conjunction with PATA. We have already been out and about on the road meeting agents and operators and this is something we want to build on to assist the trade with selling PNG and its amazing line-up of attractions. In addition, we run quarterly meetings
for the UK industry at which operators and suppliers have the chance to meet and network in a relaxed environment.
Why should agents sell PNG in preference to other Asian destinations? Because it offers a unique mix of culture, wildlife, diving, snorkelling and trekking. As I said, it really is ideal for clients who are looking for a new and exciting
destination. There's another incentive for agents: the average revenue per booking is very high so there's plenty of commission to be made!
What assistance can you give agents who want to sell PNG and do you offer any help for those wanting to visit? We can assist with training and have an online training programme in the pipeline. We also have excellent collateral, visitor guides to help with easy selling, maps and special interest brochures. Going forward we will be organising at least one fam trip this year to get agents and operators to experience PNG’s natural wonders for themselves. Information is available on Tel: 020 7260 2993; email: robin@
pngtourism.org.uk and at
www.papuanewguinea.travel
www.sellinglonghaul.com • May 2012 47
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