Photo: Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Hon. Isi Leonard, Australian NRL player Justin Olam and CEO of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority Eric Uvovo
Papua New Guinea rugby league icon and Australian NRL Melbourne Storms star centre Justin Olam is officially the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’ s tourism brand ambassador.
The formal announcement was made in the presence of Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Isi Henry Leonard and other notable dignitaries that were in Brisbane on Friday to witness the official signing of the engagement.
Other representatives present were Olam’s manager David Rawlings, first secretary to the minister Elijah Tapie, PNGTPA’s Chief Executive officer Eric Uvovo, marketing director Alice Kuaningi and staff Simon Dari Pih.
Minister Leonard who witnessed the signing of the contract between Olam and PNGTPA said, “Olam will certainly be a great ambassador for TPA and the country given his status as one of the top rugby league players in the World.”
“I am humbled and excited as well by this bold step taken by PNGTPA and our rugby league icon Justin Olam to help showcase what PNG will offer in tourism using rugby league as its vehicle,” Minister Leonard said.
“Rugby League as we know is the national sport for the country and to use Olam as PNGTPA’s tourism brand ambassador to help us promote Papua New Guinea as a beautiful country is encouraging. My ministry under the Marape-Rosso Government is in full support of the direction taken by PNGTPA,” the tourism minister said.
Meanwhile Olam after signing his contract said he is humbled by the gesture and direction taken also by PNGTPA. He is keen to be part of this programme and looks forward to working with TPA.
“I am very honoured to be the Tourism Ambassador for the PNGTPA and Destination Papua New Guinea. I am appreciative and so encouraged that Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon. Isi Henry Leonard and his delegates are here in Brisbane to witness my official engagement,” Olam said.
“Papua New Guinea is my home and I want to help support initiatives which allow the rest of the world to see just how beautiful our country, PNG is”
“Our diverse and rich cultures, our pristine waters and environment and our wonderful people make for an ideal tourist destination which I look forward to sharing what PNG has to offer,” Olam said.
He further added that he will have an eight-week break and looks forward to travel to PNG so he can work with team PNGTPA to start immediately on promoting this amazing destination. He has some great ideas too and so excited that he can now be able to engage more in promoting PNG. He has an online following of over 300,000 plus followers and aims to promote and showcase places he will be visiting in PNG, to inspire his followers and fans. The resharing of posts and positive messages will be a multiplier effect.
He said, “Rugby league in PNG is fanatical and I can use my platform and relationships in the NRL to support Tourism and encourage visitors from Australia and the Pacific Regions.”
Olam said, “There are a lot of positive initiatives happening for the benefit of PNG like the discussions for the 18th NRL team and how that can benefit and be supported through the tourism sector and the PNGRL working together.”
