As the world celebrates World Tourism Day today September 27, 2025, Papua New Guinea is being urged to look beyond the traditional career paths of lawyers, doctors, and pilots and embrace tourism as a powerful engine for the nation’s future.
At the heart of this call is Dr. Joyce Jazmin Rayel, Head of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Division at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and founder of the annual Tourism Convention.
For than twenty years, she has worked tirelessly to prove that tourism is not just about serving food or carrying luggage, but about building a national identity, creating jobs, and driving sustainable growth.
Dr. Rayel recalls starting the first convention in 2007 with just thirteen students inside a small lecture theatre.
“At that time, even within the university, few people truly understood the importance of tourism.”
“We began with nothing! no resources, no funds but with the school’s support and the help of industry partners like the Tourism Promotion Authority, we managed to stage it.”
Nearly two decades later, the UPNG Tourism Convention has grown into one of the university’s flagship annual events, drawing hundreds of participants, sponsors, and industry leaders.
Despite its growth, the journey has never been easy.
“We always start from scratch. Finding sponsors is a constant challenge, and not all students contribute equally.”
“But I’ve learned to identify those who are passionate and encourage them to lead.”
This resilience, she believes, is part of the real lesson. For her students, the convention is not just an academic requirement, but it is a real-world test of leadership, teamwork, and innovation.
When asked what she would say to students in secondary and primary schools with many of whom dream of becoming lawyers, doctors, or pilots.
“Tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. It creates jobs, stimulates infrastructure, protects our environment, and promotes our diverse cultures.”
“Tourism is everybody’s responsibility, and it can be the catalyst for sustainable development in Papua New Guinea.”
She emphasized that tourism is not limited to hospitality jobs but encompasses planning, product development, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship.
“Through tourism, we invite the world to discover PNG, but just as importantly, we empower our people to discover their own potential."
For students, tourism offers careers with impact, where they can make a difference both locally and globally.
For parents, it is a chance to see their children pursue a field that builds both skills and national pride.
For business leaders, it is an invitation to invest in a sector with unmatched potential for growth.
“Tourism can directly stimulate local economies."
"With proper infrastructure and government support, it can transform communities and create opportunities across the country.”
This year’s World Tourism Day theme “Tourism and Inclusive Growth” resonates strongly with UPNG’s Tourism and Hospitality Management students, who will once again stage the 19th Tourism Convention.
The event stands as proof that the next generation is ready to carry PNG’s tourism sector forward.
For Dr. Rayel, the message of World Tourism Day is simple but powerful: tourism is not just about welcoming visitors, it is about building a sustainable and prosperous future for Papua New Guinea.
