More than 170 tourism organisations, airlines, hotels, resorts, and travel agencies from the Philippines and Asia gathered at the 2026 Travel Madness Expo held from July 10 to 12 in Manila, Philippines.
Papua New Guinea was awarded the Best Booth in the National Tourism Organisation category at the event, recognizing its standout presentation among international exhibitors.
The participation of Papua New Guinea was coordinated by Air Niugini, the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), and several tourism industry partners. Air Niugini’s Regional Manager Asia, Joshua Koh, led the airline’s involvement in the expo alongside PNGTPA and tourism operators.
Air Niugini Chief
Executive Officer Alan Milne said the award reflects the strong cooperation between the national airline, PNGTPA, and tourism partners. Milne stated, “This recognition is a wonderful achievement for Papua New Guinea as it demonstrates what can be accomplished when the national airline, PNGTPA and tourism operators work together to showcase our country as a vibrant, welcoming and trustworthy destination.” Joshua Koh described the win as unexpected and special, emphasizing that the award belongs to all contributors—including PNGTPA, tourism operators, hotel partners, and the Air Niugini team.
The Papua New Guinea booth showcased the country’s unique tourism experiences, rich cultural heritage,
and diverse visitor attractions, drawing significant attention from thousands of visitors throughout the three-day expo.
International travel exhibitions like the Travel Madness Expo serve as vital platforms for Papua New Guinea to build relationships with travel partners and increase destination awareness. Following the Manila event, Papua New Guinea will continue promoting its tourism sector at the NATAS Travel Fair in Singapore from August 21–23, 2026, and the Holiday and Travel Expo in Hong Kong from September 25–27, 2026.
