Media publications say a lot about PNG: TPA acting CEO

Papua New Guinea's position in attracting tourists from abroad entirely depends on products the Tourism Promotion Authority [TPA] offers including media publications for the social and mainstream media platforms.

TPA acting CEO Douglas Keari highlighted on PNG's reputation as unique and diverse travel destination and what tourists say about PNG compared to media reports.

Mr. Keari said the survey of international tourist portrays a positive image of PNG.

"In our international tourist visitation survey, 44% of tourists think that our people are the friendliest in the world and 92% of our visitors want to come back, while 84% returned to their respective countries and recommended PNG as a destination to their families and over 30% said PNG has some of the world's best scenery and landscape in the world," Keari said.

Keari reiterated that the top five reasons are natural attraction, friendliness, local artifacts, organic foods experiences and quality of tours they provide.

He said a major challenge is the bad perception of what other people think about PNG based on media publications.

"As a Papua New Guinean, before you write anything on social media, we have to be responsible, act like a Papua New Guinean, and think like PNG.

"Whatever you post or write on the paper is shared and when it comes back it covers the entire country,"Mr Keari said.