The PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) in an effort to stimulate domestic tourism has provided half a million kina to Air Niugini as travel subsidy to promote domestic tourism in the country through the airline’s extensive range of existing tour packages. Of the total K500,000, half of that money will go towards promotions in the domestic market while the other half will be used to support and promote the inbound Australian tourism market. PNGTPA Chief Executive Officer, Eric Mossman in signing the agreement with Air Niugini General Manager, Commercial Paul Abbot in Port Moresby yesterday (Thursday 21st July) said the promotion is timely as travel restrictions are being slowly relaxed after the COVID pandemic with more people now traveling. He said “ COVID19 brought travel and tourism to a standstill over the last two years, however with the restrictions being slowly lifted and more people now traveling, we hope they can make use of the domestic travel subsidies being offered. “ Air Niugini as one of our leading industry partners provides a wide range of tour packages, we therefore encourage people to make use of the subsidies by purchasing domestic tour packages from Air Niugini, which in turn will boost domestic tourism.” Mr Mossman said. Mr Abbot explained that Air Niugini will ensure domestic packages are more accessible in order to stimulate more demand and support the domestic tourism operators. He said once the travel subsidy is in place, every person that purchases an Air Niugini domestic tour package will be offered a K500 discount. A tour package includes airfares, accommodation, return airport transfers, breakfast and taxes. “ We hope to make domestic tourism more accessible and easier for everyone to be able to take advantage of the many and varied tourism experiences in our beautiful country. The flow on effect from people traveling and staying domestically will have a positive impact on communities all over the country.” “Air Niugini has always had great relationship with PNGTPA and this is a shining example of stake holders working together to take domestic tourism to a new level. We look forward to a strong, positive result from this arrangement.” Mr Abbot said Apart from Air Niugini’s current range of domestic tour packages, the airline will also look to create new product to come on the market to further support domestic tourism initiatives