A select group of travel trade professionals were invited to the first-ever united tourism push for Rabaul-Kokopo – an undiscovered province in Papua New Guinea.
Rabaul-Kokopo, which is situated in Papua New Guinea’s East New Britain province, offers holiday-makers a mix of adventure, culture, picturesque coastal landscapes and rare war history, all of which is complimented by the warm and welcoming local people.
For the first time, PNG’s tourism leaders are putting the destination on the map, with a push the promote the province to Aussie travellers.
[L-R]: Leigh Reading, PNGTPA Australian/NZ representative; Ruth Dicker, Niugini Holidays; Mr. Peter Vincent, PNGTPA PNGTPA chief executive officer; Mr. Edward Lamur, East New Britain Provincial Administration.
PNGTPA’s chief executive officer, Peter Vincent, said Rabaul-Kokopo is an area earmarked for tourism growth and he is delighted the industry has been able to get behind plans to raise the profile of such a beautiful area of PNG.
He said the island has a number of natural offerings from volcanoes to the Duke of York Islands. It also has rich World War II history.
“It’s a safe, friendly and accessible destination with the option of flying direct from Cairns or via Port Moresby. Tourists can also use Rabaul-Kokopo as a gateway to the other island areas including New Ireland which is ideal for coastal leisure activities.”
Peter Vincent, PNGTPA Chief Executive Officer
Deputy Administrator of the East New Britain Provincial Government, Edward Lamur, said the collective approach was not only an opportunity to promote the area but more focused on developing tourism in a destination which has huge potential.
[L-R]: Heidi Uhlig, Niugini Holiday; Leigh Reading, PNGTPA Australian/NZ representative; Annemarie Rhodes, Air Niugini; Bettina Schmidberger, Diversion Dive Travel; Mr. Peter Vincent PNGTPA chief executive officer; Ruth Dicker, Niugini Holidays; Mr. Edward Lamur, East New Britain Provincial Administration; Nina Joost, Dive Adventures.
The PNG-based industry members were flown to Cairns courtesy of Air Niugini to offer important face-face-face time with the Australian market.
The workshop is the first step in a major marketing campaign to promote the area to the Australian market with the PNGTPA developing new image and video footage, hosting media famils and creating a new destination focused website.