Papua New Guinea won the Best Booth award in the National Tourism Organisation category at the 2026 Travel Madness Expo, held in Manila, Philippines, from July 10 to 12. The event featured over 170 tourism organisations, airlines, hotels, resorts, and travel agencies from across the Philippines and Asia.
Award Reflects Collaborative Efforts by PNG Tourism Stakeholders
The award recognised the Papua New Guinea exhibition booth for effectively showcasing the country’s tourism appeal, cultural heritage, and unique visitor attractions to thousands of visitors. Air Niugini CEO Alan Milne stated the award highlights what can be achieved through the combined efforts of Air Niugini, the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA),
and tourism industry partners.
Air Niugini’s Regional Manager Asia, Joshua Koh, described the win as an unexpected but significant honour, crediting the success to all participants involved in the Papua New Guinea booth.
Showcasing PNG’s Unique Tourism Experiences
The Papua New Guinea stand demonstrated the country’s vibrant culture and wide-ranging tourism offerings to a diverse audience at one of Asia’s major travel exhibitions. The collaborative coordination between Air Niugini, PNGTPA, and tourism operators facilitated a comprehensive presentation of PNG’s destination strengths.
Upcoming Tourism Promotions in Asia
Following the Manila expo, Papua New Guinea will continue its promotional campaign at key tourism events across Asia. Plans include participation in the NATAS
Travel Fair in Singapore from August 21 to 23, and the Holiday and Travel Expo in Hong Kong from September 25 to 27, 2026, as PNG expands its tourism presence in regional markets.
Alan 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 added, “Winning the Best Booth Award was something we had never expected, making this recognition even more special. 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.”
