Over 100 Cruise Liners Expected to Bring in K137.10 Million

The Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) has confirmed that over 100 cruise liners will be visiting PNG this year, bringing in an estimated US$40 million (about K137.10 million), according to an official. During the launch of the TPA Corporate Plan 2023-2026 in Port Moresby on Friday, CEO Eric Uvovo stated that the plan would guide TPA’s strategic direction.

“With a promising forecast on the cruise tourism sector, we are expecting over 100 cruise ships into PNG this year, carrying over 90,000 cruise passengers into PNG and with a direct economic impact to the PNG economy through tax and levies of over US$40 million, we have a lot to offer in PNG,” said Uvovo.

Uvovo outlined TPA’s strategic priorities, which include “expanding global, regional and domestic reach; accelerating tourism investment through smart policies and plans; raising the levels of tourism service education and management; maximising value from tourism research and monitoring; strengthening tourism product development for sustainable tourism; maintaining excellence in corporate governance and performance; and providing effective services through human resource, ICT and financial management.”

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Isi Henry Leonard commented that PNG has a lot of tourism products to offer. Uvovo added that the corporate plan aligns with the national government’s economic development objectives, as captured in the Medium-Term Development

Plan and Vision 2050.

“Our strategic priorities seek to amplify our role as defined in the TPA Act (1993) and the Tourism Sector Development Plan 20222026 as aligned with the national government’s economic development objectives as captured in the Medium-Term Development Plan and Vision 2050,” said Uvovo.

“I am confident our Vision 2026 will be successful in strategically meeting and delivering all our aspirations for a prosperous tourism sector,” Uvovo added. The Corporate Plan 2023-2026 is expected to serve as the roadmap to achieving this vision. With the anticipated increase in cruise liners visiting PNG, the tourism sector has a lot to offer and will provide a significant economic impact on the country.