Potentials and constraints of tourism growth in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

This thesis investigates the potentials and constraints of tourism growth in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In order to identify the potentials and constraints impeding tourism growth in the country, it was established that the major stakeholders in the tourism industry are the most appropriate source of information. The major stakeholders identified were the tourism businesses, representing the supply side of the industry and the tourists, represent the demand side. The major impediments stifling the growth of tourism in PNG was found to be negative media perceptions of the country. This negative perception is the result of constant and regular media headlines about crime and, law and order problems that PNG is experiencing. Other constraints affecting tourism growth in the country were found to be tourism related, for instance, lack of marketing and promotion of PNG as a destination. It was also established from the research results that despite the impediments affecting tourism growth in PNG, the country has enormous potential for developing special interest tourism such as ecotourism and nature tourism. The potential markets for these types of tourism products are those from Australia, USA, and Japan, in the age groups 36 to 50 years and those over 50 years. To be able to capitalise on the potentials, the media, the tourism organisation and the government should work in collaboration with each other to market and promote the tourism potentials that the country has.