Papua New Guinea won the Best Booth award in the National Tourism Organisation category at the 2026 Travel Madness Expo held from July 10 to 12 in Manila, Philippines. The three-day event featured more than 170 tourism organisations, airlines, hotels, resorts, and travel agencies from the Philippines and across Asia.
Collaboration Drives Papua New Guinea Representation
The Papua New Guinea exhibit was coordinated by the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), Air Niugini, and local tourism operators. Alan Milne, Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, said, “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.”
Leadership Comments on Award and Cooperation
Joshua Koh, Air Niugini’s Regional Manager Asia who coordinated the airline’s participation, described the award win as “something we had never expected, making this recognition even more special.” He added, “This award belongs to everyone who contributed to the Papua New Guinea stand, including PNGTPA, the tourism operators, hotel partners and the Air Niugini team.”
Showcasing Unique Tourism and Upcoming Events
The Papua New Guinea booth was recognized for effectively showcasing the country’s unique tourism experiences, cultural heritage, and visitor attractions. Following the Travel Madness Expo, PNG plans
to promote its tourism at the NATAS Travel Fair in Singapore from August 21 to 23, 2026, and the Holiday and Travel Expo in Hong Kong from September 25 to 27, 2026.
Asia-Pacific Travel Expo Context
The 2026 Manila Travel Expo is one of Asia’s leading travel exhibitions and featured participants from more than 170 tourism entities across the Asia-Pacific region. These international travel exhibitions help build travel partner relationships, increase destination awareness, and encourage visitation. Papua New Guinea is expanding its presence in key regional markets through active participation in such major travel events.
