Executive Summary
This report provides an analysis of the Papua New Guinea Community Attitudes Survey (CAS) conducted from March 25th to May 17th, 2024, aimed at capturing local residents’ perceptions of tourism in the country.
A total of 2,986 responses were initially received. After data cleaning and removal of duplicates and incomplete responses, 2,684 valid responses were analyzed. The survey targeted Papua New Guinea citizens and non-citizen residents, and responses were collected via SMS and promoted through social media, websites, and university partnerships.
Key Findings:
- Demographics:
- 98% of respondents were PNG citizens, while 2% were non-citizens.
- The majority of respondents (70%) resided in the National Capital District (NCD), with a smaller representation from Momase, Southern, Highlands, and Islands regions.
- The respondents were primarily between the ages of 18-39 years, with a slight majority of male respondents (58%).
- Perceptions of Tourism:
- 93.8% of respondents agreed that Papua New Guinea needs more tourists, citing tourism’s potential to boost economic growth, create jobs, and support small businesses.
- 89.7% of respondents believed that tourism is beneficial for the local economy, while there were concerns about environmental degradation and cultural erosion due to tourism activities.
- Safety and security were major concerns, with many respondents indicating that law and order issues could negatively impact tourism growth.
- Cultural and Environmental Impacts:
- Respondents highlighted the positive cultural exchange facilitated by tourism but expressed concerns about the commercialization of traditional cultures and potential environmental damage.
- Many recognized the need for sustainable tourism practices to protect natural resources and maintain the integrity of PNG’s cultural heritage.
Recommendations:
To address these findings, the following actions are recommended:
- Enhance Tourism Education: Develop educational programs to increase local understanding of tourism’s benefits and promote responsible tourism practices.
- Strengthen Environmental and Cultural Protections: Implement policies and initiatives to mitigate the environmental and cultural impacts of tourism, ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Improve Infrastructure and Safety: Address concerns about safety and infrastructure by investing in key tourism areas to improve visitor experiences and local confidence in the tourism industry.
- Promote Regional Participation: Broaden tourism initiatives to ensure greater participation from all regions of Papua New Guinea, addressing regional disparities in tourism development.
These steps will help to align tourism growth with community interests, ensuring that tourism development benefits all stakeholders while preserving the unique cultural and environmental assets of Papua New Guinea.
