Photo Credit: PNG Tourism Promotion Authority / MR. ERIC MOSSMAN UVOVO
To increase tourism, the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority requires additional government funding.
PNG TPA Chief Executive Officer Eric Uvovo stated the government's support for tourism in PNG is a drop in the ocean, and TPA wants the government to recognize that tourism is a very vital and major sector that requires its assistance, as well as greater investment.
According to Uvovo, financing is a major problem for TPA in terms of marketing and product development, and TPA is hoping that the government recognizes this and increases its budget in 2021 and beyond.
“The government needs to meaningfully invest into tourism where TPA can reach down to the district and provincial level to develop tourism more.
COVID-19 has really affected the tourism industry where all industry members are bleeding to the core at this point in time,” Uvovo said.
He stated that they have sought government assistance for their stimulus packages, which has yet to materialize, and that they are still waiting for the government to step in and help them.
According to Uvovo, 2020 will be the most difficult year in the history of tourism due to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global tourism, which has resulted in travel restrictions, low consumer confidence, and a global struggle to control the spread of COVID, all of which have impacted the industries.
TPA is currently working with districts and provincial governments to boost domestic tourism, but financing remains a key issue, which he is urging the government to address now by investing or increasing the tourist budget to improve the business.
Reference:
Kamus, Maxine. Post-Courier (5 August 2021). “Tourism Promotion Authority Needs Govt Support”.
