PNG will be on display at the World Travel Market for the first time this year

Tourism in Papua New Guinea has been described as a ‘sleeping giant’ by the country’s Tourism Minister, Boka Kondra.

According to the Pacific Islands News Association, Mr Kondra asked senior staff in his ministry to bring their plans and goals into line to create stability and a vision for PNG’s tourism industry.

“There is misalignment among the sectors in the tourism industry,” Mr Kondra stated, urging staff to “discuss a way to move forward” with a common goal to bring profitability to the country’s tourism industry.

The Tourism Minister said the industry was an economic sector and therefore an integral part of the government’s focus on growing the economy.

Admitting to never wanting to be the Tourism Minister, Mr Kondra said he had “come to learn that tourism is a sleeping giant” and, as such, must contribute to the growth of the country, something that could only be achieved if all entities were aligned.

“The prime minister has given a clear vision and now I want us to follow that in our tourism industry,” he explained.

Papua New Guinea has confirmed it will be present at the World Travel Market for the first time in November.