PNG Cultural Festivals are vital for the new generation and young people

DWU cultural festival promotes students’ ethnic heritage

A Welda student from the Western Highlands

By PETER S KINJAP | PNG Attitude blog

PORT MORESBY - Divine Word University community in Madang is always pleased to host its DWU Cultural Festival every year in the third week of August.

It’s a lively event with traditional songs and dances as students from all 22 provinces in PNG, Solomon Islands and Fiji take centre stage showcasing their cultures in what is something closer to a Pacific festival.

The people of Madang and visiting tourists and the growing expatriate community of Chinese, Filipinos and Europeans usually take the chance to see a sampling of the diverse cultures and traditions of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

Many students had their parents, guardians and extended relatives on campus to assist them with the preparations and performances as well.

The inclusion of mostly highlands parents was a testament to the level of pride and support they have for their student sons, daughters, nephews and cousins.

The highlands students usually appear more spectacular when their elders put the finishing touches on the face painting and traditional attire.

The annual festival is set by the university administration for the students to acknowledge their indigenous roots in traditional song, dance, costumes and folklore.

A Siassi group from Morobe Province warms up

Former president of the Divine Word University and now PNG’s education secretary, Fr Jan Czuba, says the cultural day is not a show but a day when students are given a chance to reflect on the importance and values of the indigenous cultures of Papua New Guinea amidst the influences of modern times.

Living up to the university’s slogan ‘Valuing our Culture and Heritage through Collaboration’, students from various provinces put on a lively display of their heritage through bilas (traditional regalia) and dancing and singing at the Madang campus.

It’s a proud moment when parents and relatives to see their young ones take to the arena to promote their culture.

The event, which has now become part of the Madang calendar, is one of the national cultural festivals recognised by the government through its PNG Tourism Promotion Authority. DWU, a keen promoter of Melanesian culture, encourages students to value their traditions and heritage.

It was established as a university in 1996 (it had previously been an institute) by the government under then prime minister Sir Julius Chan.

Women dancers from New Ireland await their turn

The annual cultural event provides an avenue to bring together PNG’s shared heritage through songs, dancing and enactments of ceremonies.

Tourists will be captivated by the colours of the costumes, the differences in attire and dances you have never seen before. You can take as many photos as you like, and you might run out of space in your memory card if you don’t bring extra batteries and cards for your camera.

DWU as a tertiary institution is a special place for students from different backgrounds to come together and study and engage in peace and harmony. It is a beautiful campus, carefully tended and known as a safe, peaceful and pleasant environment in which to pursue one’s higher education.

Many times the international and local news is not good – wars, bombings, terrorism, tribal fights, rape, corruption, domestic violence…. there is too much violence. We should passionately discuss and debate the issues that face our nation, but not allow political rivalries to destroy friendship and unity.

How wonderful it is, how pleasant it is, for God’s people to live together in harmony and enjoy a festival.

Dancers from Enga are always a crowd pleaser

Here at DWU there is a cacophony of traditional songs, kundu beats, the stirring melodies of a brass band and the police bagpipers intermingled with the applause and delighted laughter of children and the shouting of adults.

In 2016, Ramu NiCo in Madang also took the opportunity to display its project by reaching out to the general public at the DWU cultural festival. The president of Ramu NiCo, Wang Jicheng, along with other senior staff visit cultural festival to experience firsthand the unique cultures of the country while also supporting the promotional activities of their company.

"I am very excited to come here and see the different cultures of PNG as shown by the dances and the beautiful body decorations,” Mr Wang said.

Academics John Imbal and Nathaline Murki from DWU’s tourism department, in a study of the festival, are investigating aspects of its promotion, program, economic impacts and visitor demographics. The assessment will provide useful information to improve and develop the event.

The university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) cultural committee organises the festival. SRC secretary Lavina Lore, a third year tourism student, said the festival will be on
17 August this year.

For more information and tour package into Madang for the festival and other activities during the month of August, please contact Niugini Exotic Tours via email at: pngattractions@gmail.com

Peter S Kinjap is a freelance writer and a blogger, email pekinjap@gmail.com

For travel advisory and tour packages, 

send email to: pngattractions@gmail.com

FSM Government and PNG's Air Niugini to share cost on Port Moresby - Pohnpei route: First flight scheduled 03rd December

THE Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has agreed to share the cost with Air Niugini to make the Port Moresby – Pohnpei route sustainable.

Air Niugini will commence weekly air services twice between Port Moresby and FSM, starting on December 3.

The inaugural and test flight was done last week where the state-owned airline management and board received the Foreign Air Carrier Permit from FSM President Peter Christian.

“So that the financial risks associated with a new international service can be managed, Air Niugini has asked the FSM Government to share the risk involved in establishing this new air service,” Air Niugini chairman Sir Frederick Reiher said.

“I am delighted that the President and his government responded positively to our request, and have agreed to provide a firm response when the (FSM) financial year begins in October.”

Sir Frederick said Air Niugini would work closely with the FSM Government, business community and tourism sector, to ensure the new service is a success, and particularly help develop the island nation’s significant tourism potential.

Source: PNG Loop

Minister presented K200,000 for "Lukim PNG Nau" to drive tourism industry

Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, Tobias Kulang, presented K200,000 towards the Lukim PNG Nau Tourism Expo.

The event will see local exhibitors showcasing Papua New Guinean artifacts to international tourists from around the world.

Officiating at the cheque presentation ceremony were Tobias Kulang, Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture;Tourism Promotion Authority Marketing, Director Alice Kuaningi; PNG Tourism Association Executive Officer, Christine Peipul and Office of Tourism, Office of Arts and Culture Director General, Marianna Ellingson.

Speaking during the event, Mr Kulang said the K200,000 will be used to host the 26th Lukim PNG Nau Expo in the country.

In essence, he said Tourism industry contributes 10% of GDP as an economic driver. The United Nations declared 2017 year of tourism.

The expo will coincide with the International Tourism Day to will be held on the 25th to the 26th of this month at the Convention Centre, Port Moresby.

In light of this, OTAC will be working with sister organisations, the Tourism Promotion Authority and National Museum Arts and Gallery in its preparations.

“This will strengthen linkages, office isolation and create synergy to achieve results between sister organizations,” Minister Kulang said.

A total of 35 local exhibitors are set to showcase PNG Artifacts to international bidders from around the globe.

Tourism Promotion Authority Marketing Director, Alice Kuaningi, said there are number of events leading up to this event.

These events include the handing over of the International Convention Centre and 48th Anniversary of Chinese PNG bilateral ties.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Hon. Tobias Kulang

VIDEO: Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, Tobias Kulang, presented K200,000 towards the Lukim PNG Nau Tourism Expo.

Source: EMTV

APEC welcomes 800 million tourists

Tourism officials from the 21 APEC member economies are preparing their industry infrastructure to host an expected doubling of international tourists in the region to 800 million people within the next decade. The potential payoff for job creation and growth is substantial, a new report meanwhile details.

Measures to help small businesses and workforces accommodate this surge in visitors were taken forward by officials and industry representatives over the last week in the budding ecotourism destination of Kokopo. Focus is on maximizing the services capacity of the region’s small firms, which account for 97 per cent of all businesses and half of labor across APEC economies.

“The Asia-Pacific is currently the most significant contributor to the advancement in tourist numbers globally,” noted Papua New Guinea Tourism Minister Tobias Kulang, in opening remarks. “The region’s position is reflective of its above average market growth which registered a nine per cent rate within the first four months of 2016.”

“Papua New Guinea is working with its APEC partners to boost tourism as an engine for economic growth and prosperity,” Minister Kulang continued. “We are fully committed to the success of regional efforts to ensure a sustainable, inclusive travel and tourism sector, and promote labor, skills development and certifications to build compatible workforces.”

International tourist arrivals in APEC economies have jumped 168 per cent to over 426 million during the last twenty years. The region stands a good chance to hit its target of 800 million by 2025 if actions conducive to growth are taken, according to a new industry report from the APEC Policy Support Unit.

Achieving APEC’s tourist arrivals goal, aided by collaboration to improve air connectivity and entry processes, would add US$3.8 trillion dollars in GDP, create 21.1 million jobs and lift 15.2 million people out of poverty across the region, the report adds. But it will also strain the industry’s ability to cater to new visitors, particularly travel, tourism and hospitality operators with scarcer resources.

“APEC is deepening engagement with the travel and tourism sector to better understand the new challenges facing operators big and small, and establish conditions that enable them to harness growth opportunities,” said Jennifer Aguinaga, Chair of the APEC Tourism Working Group, which administers regional initiatives in support of travel and tourism development.

“We are focused on meeting infrastructure and human resource needs as tourism demand rises and changes in technology and business models transform the industry,” added Aguinaga, who is also with the National Travel and Tourism Office at the United States’ Department of Commerce.

To this end, APEC is working with the private sector to lift structural barriers to industry innovation, including the development of new products and niche markets. Easing bottlenecks to entrepreneurship and tourism operators owned by women, who account for 60 per cent of the industry workforce, is a parallel emphasis. Financing and digital divides are among them.

APEC economies are further boosting occupational standards and certification programs, wider access to training and career development vital to encouraging young people to pursue long-term employment in tourism. They are also driving best practice adoption for mutual recognition in recruitment, retention and workforce planning among employers.

“Small businesses are more likely to hire locally, generate jobs that are less skill-intensive and provide more flexible work arrangements,” said Emmanuel San Andres, an analyst with the APEC Policy Support Unit and co-author of the report. “Greater public-private support for the sector’s modernization will be critical to realizing its full growth potential as more tourists arrive.”

“APEC economies are well placed to exchange critical ground-level data needed to assess the impact of tourism development on businesses, households and individuals,” San Andres concluded. “Ultimately evidence-based policies will do a lot more to build an inclusive and rewarding tourism sector in the region.”

It must be noted Peru holds the APEC 2016 Presidency.

APEC meeting

Source: Andina (From Peru to the World) - http://www.andina.com.pe/

Papua New Guinea's flag carrier Air Niugini names latest aircraft ‘Alotau’

THE board of Air Niugini named its third Fokker-70 aircraft “Alotau” in a ceremony in Port Moresby yesterday.

The first was christened Mt Hagen and the second Hoskins.
Chairman Sir Frederick Reiher said the latest addition to their fleet was to recognise the important contribution Alotau and Milne Bay made to the airline.

“Our services to Gurney airport (Alotau) are well supported by the people and businesses of the province, and increasingly by tourists from PNG,” he said.
“Air Niugini appreciates that support and we will continue to support the province as it continues to grow.” Alotau MP Charles Abel welcomed plans by the airline for more infrastructure and new aircraft.

“We’ve heard of the good thing Air Niugini is doing and this is part of that re-fleeting exercise to bring efficiency, phase out the Q-400 and bring in the ‘F’ series to complement the F-100 which makes it more proficient in terms of crewing and maintenance,” Abel said.
“It goes beyond simply Alotau and the tourism industry down there. It’s about a broader agenda to improve delivery of government services and government efficiency in general.
Milne Bay Governor Titus Philemon thanked Air Niugini for naming the aircraft “Alotau.”

Source: The National

Local firm licenced to exchange foreign currencies in Milne Bay Province

THE Bank of PNG has granted a Milne Bay firm-Money Exchange Limited a licence that will enable it to exchange foreign currencies to Kina and vice versa.

The Bureau of Currency Exchange (Money Changer) License, was presented by BPNG governor, Loi Bakani, to the firm in a small but significant ceremony which was held in Alotau recently.

Being one of the country’s tourist hubs, the license was welcome news for David Clunns, director of the Money Exchange Limited- the first Money Changer in the province.

Governor Bakani said the license was a commitment made by the Central Bank early this year during the Bank’s board meeting in Alotau to assist the province with a money changer to strengthen the tourist industry.

He said this also supports the Government’s initiative of making Milne Bay province one of the country’s tourist hubs.

Mr Clunns upon receiving the license said it is the aim of the company to help the local people in Alotau and the outer islands exchange the foreign currencies that they receive from the tourists that visit the province.

The company also intends to bring services to the people living in the islands of the province as it is always an issue for many of the locals to travel to Alotau to change the foreign currencies to Kina. It is also for the convenience of tourist ships to exchange their foreign currencies to Kina to purchase local products in the province.

Bank of Papua New Guinea Governor Loi Bakani presenting the license to David Clunns 

Source: Post Courier

Papua New Guinea needs more regional development to spread tourist dollar

Papua New Guinea's tourism industry says the country's regional hubs need to grow so that communities can benefit.

The Director-General for PNG's Office of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Marianna Ellingson, said her country is set to open its first 5-star hotel to help service a growing conference market, but she's concerned that the tourist dollar trickles down.

She said the government should partner with large hotels to run hospitality schools.

Ms Ellingson said the country must promote and help develop its tour operators, who are crucial to delivering tourists to communities.

"The marriage between product development and tour packages is also a very very important aspect and that's the sort of connection that you want to create that brings the tourist and the community together."

Marianna Ellingson says she's heartened by the Air Niugini flights from Brisbane to Alotau which are set to start in October and help market Milne Bay as a tourist hub.

Source: Radio New Zealand

Papua New Guinea encouraged to embrace cruise tourism

Papua New Guinea has been encouraged to grasp the potential multi-million dollar benefits that cruise tourism could provide the country.

A World Bank study said US$4.5 million was generated from the industry last year and that amount was likely to increase.

Alotau, Rabaul, Kitava, Doini Island and Kiriwina all received economic boosts.

A spokesperson, Nimarta Chung-Banga, said that, for example, each ship that visited Kokopo brought around US$100,000 to the town.

Ms Chung-Banga said infrastructure improvements were needed and locals needed to be educated on tourism to fully capitalise on the potential for growth.

She said cruise tourism was a great way of opening up a destination, which could lead to increasing air arrivals.

"Cruise tourism helps the focus to be on developing good tours that mesh with tourists and based on their liking. Developing a good variety of tours, ensuring all the destinations that are covered in the tours are well developed and are able to tackle the tourists that want to come in . So in terms of product development, it makes the destination ready," said Nimarta Chung-Banga.

Source: Radio New Zealand

Papua New Guinea cruise tourism can help development, says Tourism Promotion Authority

PAPUA New Guinea's tourism promotion authority says it's important to fully capitalise on cruise tourism for the sake of development.

A World Bank report, released last week, says US$4.5 million was generated from the industry last year and the amount is likely to increase.

It also said locals needed to be educated on tourists' needs and the subsequent benefits.

It gave the example of Kokopo, where each ship that visited injected about 100 thousand dollars into the town.

The tourism authority's chief executive, Jerry Agus, said because of the burden ships can place on resources, it's important to fully realise their economic potential.

"When they go to a small town, the exert a bit of pressure on our local residents in terms of taking transportation, especially the buses. Sometimes when the cruise ships come and dock in places like Alotau they need to get fresh water and that puts pressure on our local water supply systems."

Source: Radio New Zealand

Australian passport holders granted visa on arrival to Papua New Guinea, a 30-days free tourist visa

Australian passport holders will now secure a 30-day, free tourist visa on arrival in Papua New Guinea. The VISA on arrival has been granted by the PNG Government to Australians. 

The change in visa requirements was decided by the National Executive Council and it was the first time this option had been available to Australian visitors.

Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive officer Jerry Agus said he was delighted by the news and saw this decision as an important step forward for the PNG tourism industry.

"We welcome this news and believe that by simplifying the process and allowing visas to be granted upon arrival at no cost, will entice more Australians to visit one of their closest neighbours," Mr Agus said.

PNG Immigration office, Air Niugini executives and Foreign Affairs hierarchy and political leaders also confirmed that this was the best option PNG could take to for tourists so PNG could have many more people come to visit and experience the beauty of the country.

An Australian mother and a child with mud-men at Mt. Hagen Cultural Show, August 2015.

Source: PNG Online Travel News