Tourism Key…Export Driver

The tourism sector is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and in the Pacific Islands it is recognized as an important driver of economic growth and employment opportunity. For the big picture Papua New Guineans can start looking at tourism differently. This is a very dynamic industry, and help is available – an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat called Pacific Islands Trade & Invest (PT &I) Australia that facilitates Pacific Islands export and investment.
The work of PT & I Australia is to attract foreign direct investment into the Pacific Islands assisting Pacific Island exporters and supporting the growth of Pacific Island tourism and creative industries.
A very small number of Papua New Guineans are slowly making their way into opportunities provided by PT& I Australia. Most of them are women; it is women who are showing interest in the export business. They are adventurous, showing interest in finding out what’s out there and how they can tap in.
PNG’s rich cultural strengths were once again at the forefront of PT &I Australia’s planning for 2016 with seven PNG creative industry organizations and artists joining them at Maketi Ples 2016. Epalia Paita, Florence Jauake, the Goroka Bilum Weavers Collective, Hagen Handcrafts Group, Giluwe Artisans and Telefomin, Kar Kar Island Bilum Weavers, Thomas Toyamina and Omi Artists were all represented in front of Sydney’s art-loving crowds.
Writing in PT & I Australia’s Annual Report 2016, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Caleb Jarvis says, sales made during the event will assist these artists to continue spreading awareness of PNG’s cultural gifts, and lead to future income in the years ahead. “All Pacific Island export sales are expected to have significant knock-on effects, supplying local communities, and with the majority of these artists being women, this flow-through is expected to be magnified.”
In partnership with Austrade, PT & I Australia conducted an infrastructure mission to PNG last September with 21 members. The mission assisted attendees to identify and target opportunities in the infrastructure sector, including those being financed by major international aid donors.
David Knapton, Austrade’s Port Moresby-based Senior Trade Commissioner said, the PNG Government remains committed to the development of infrastructure. With support from its key development partners, it plans to spend a significant amount of money on infrastructure projects in the transport, energy, water, communication and construction sectors over the next two years.
Participants secured high level access to key decision-makers in both industry and government; gained an understanding of opportunities in PNG, met with potential partners, identified potential opportunities expected to flow from future projects; and developed a better understanding of PNG and the requirements to undertake business successfully in the local, growing market, says the report.
In 2016 PT &I Australia provided 108 services to PNG companies resulting in 220 outcomes. “Women have a dominant role in tourism and creative industries in PNG which led to nearly half of our services to PNG being dedicated to women-owned or led businesses.”
The report goes on to say that most requested assistance from PNG businesses in 2016 revolved around the acquisition of new buyers. The top three services provided were:-
 Client participation in an event or activity (30)
 Identifying or introduce potential customer (18)
 Identifying, participation, and selection of most suitable markets (10).
PNG has an area of 462,890 sqkm and a population of 7,619,321. In 2015 Australian investment in PNG was $18.4 billion. In 2016, we focused on initiatives to bridge the widening gap between Pacific businesses and the Australian market, Mr Jarvis said. “There continues to be a lack of private sector data from the Pacific islands. We understand the importance of research to help organizations make informed decisions.”
The way international tourists make travel decisions is changing. An increasing number of tourists are using the internet as their main source of information, deciding what to do and where to stay using their phone, tablet, or computer. Existing tourism operators that participated in PT &I Australia’s Digital Tourism program reported a total of US$69,802 in extra bookings for 2016. The Milne Bay resort Driftwood, and Kokoda-based tour company Buna Treks & Tours, received a new website under PT & I Australia’s Digital Tourism program.
 
(Source: National News Feature 20 July 2017)