Tourism in Papua New Guinea

  • Niche targets for Papua New Guinea’s tourism industry

    PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 2015/12/28 A rise in historical battlefield tourism across a variety of international destinations has shone a spotlight on a key niche market with potential for Papua New Guinea, as the country begins preparations for a series of events commemorating the 75th anniversary of strategic battles fought during the Second World War. The country’s unspoilt wildernesses and close proximity to key regional markets are also likely give the tourism industry an added boost in the coming years, though its total contribution to the national economy will remain relatively modest, at around 2% of GDP. PNG’s tourism industry is expected to expand by 6.7% this year, with annual growth averaging 5.3% through to 2025, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, placing it in the top 10% of the 184 countries surveyed in terms of forecast growth. Some 172,000 international visitors are expected to visit by year’s end, climbing to 238,000 per annum by 2025, the council noted.