Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture
THE Papua New Guinea tourism sector has exceeded its targets for foreign visitors, tourism revenue and employment in the industry in 2011 and 2012.
“The first report card is out and the performance of the sector has surpassed the 2010 baseline”, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Boka Kondra.
“There is a progressive increase for each of the sector’s three indicators and we’re very much on the road to meeting our targets for 2015”, he said.
In 2010, foreign visitors totalled 146,350 which increased to 175,200 in 2012. The 2015 target is 240,000.
In 2010, tourism receipts were K1.4 billion which increased to K1.75 billion in 2012. The 2015 target is K3 billion.
Meanwhile sector employmentincreased from 14,600 to 17,000 with 25,000 projected for 2015.
“The tourism sector outperformed other economic sectors like forestry, fisheries, agriculture, petroleum, and minerals”, Mr Kondra said.
“It also outperformed land development, housing, law and order, health, higher education, research science and technology, and transport.”
Mr Kondra congratulated Tourist Promotion Authority CEO Peter Vincent and staff members on the outstanding results and urged management and staff to continue with the same intensity so the sector can meet its 2015 targets.