NCD GOVERNOR'S STRATEGIC DIALOGUE TO ENHANCE CHINA-PNG TOURISM AND BUSINESS TIES AHEAD OF INAUGURAL CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES FLIGHT
PORT MORESBY: NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop is actively engaging in extensive dialogues with key stakeholders in preparation for the maiden flight of China Southern Airlines' Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Jacksons International Airport on December 20th, 2023.
Aimed at boosting mutual tourism and business opportunities between China and PNG, especially Amazing Port Moresby, and realizing the city's vision to become the gateway to Asia and the Pacific, Governor Parkop is making significant efforts to tap into the Chinese tourism market.
On Monday night, the Chinese Ambassador to PNG, His Excellency Zeng Fanhua (pictured), hosted a dinner for Governor Parkop and his officers at their Gordons embassy. During the meeting, the duo exchanged ideas for new collaborations while exploring opportunities on how China and Port Moresby can enhance existing partnerships.
Ambassador Fanhua was also briefed about the comprehensive preparations relevant Government Agencies, including PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, NCDC, and the Government of PNG, are making for the flight and work undertaken thereafter on the China Ready initiative in the city.
Governor also shared that an audit was conducted into the tourism spots, so the audit report will be presented during a China Ready workshop planned for early next year. A roadshow is also planned to market PNG in China together with PNGTPA.
Ambassador Fanhua informed that 50 Chinese officials, including Ghuanzhou's Deputy Governor, have booked to be on board the maiden flight. He said the Chinese tourists are ready to come to the country in big numbers but their only concern is safety and security. The preferred transiting destinations for Chinese tourists are Mt Hagen, Goroka, Lae, Kavieng, and Kokopo.
The ambassador was informed that Governor Parkop would lead State Ministers and Government officials to Guandong in China where they will be returning back to the country on this maiden flight.
Responding to him in their exchange of ideas, Governor Parkop said that, seeing the tourism and business opportunities it creates, the city residents and the indigenous people will help the municipal government and police address it. He said he was also considering the introduction of the tourist-police idea.
Governor Parkop emphasized that the city currently offers only 5,000 accommodation spaces, which are insufficient to meet the high demand from Chinese tourists. He called for increased investments in this sector to fully harness the economic potential presented by the China-PNG direct flight.
About China Southern Airlines: China Southern airlines is one of the two biggest airlines in China. It is also ranked in the top five biggest airlines in the world. It has 920 jets flying daily all around the world and employs over 120,000 employees globally. In PNG it has appointed the former Corporate Services Manager for Air Niugini Mr. Dominic Kaumu as its Country Manager.
About Guandong Province: It is the industrial heartland of China with a population of 130 million. Its GDP is bigger than the entire Russian Federation. 60 percent of Chinese Tourists comes from this Province of Guangdong. China Southern airlines is owned by the Province of Guangdong and the State or National Government of the People’s Republic of China. Shenzhen, Port Moresby's sister city, is also in the Province of Guangdong whose capital is Ghuanzhou, the third largest city in China.