One of China’s two largest airlines, the China Southern Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be making its maiden flight to the Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby in the coming days, on the 20th of December, 2023.
This maiden flight is part of plans aimed at boosting mutual tourism and business opportunities between China and PNG especially Amazing Port Moresby, and realizing the city’s vision to become the gateway to Asia and the Pacific, Governor Parkop is making significant efforts to tap into the Chinese tourism market.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop, who is spearheading this initiation, has been actively engaging in extensive dialogues with key stakeholders in preparation for this maiden flight.
Governor Parkop was recently hosted a dinner, by the Chinese Ambassador to PNG, His Excellency Zeng Fanhua, at his Gordons Embassy.
This dinner served as an opportunity for the duo to exchange ideas for new collaborations while exploring opportunities on how China and Port Moresby can enhance existing partnerships.
The Chinese Ambassador explained that Chinese tourists are ready to come to the country in big numbers but their only concern is safety and security, with the preferred transiting destinations for Chinese tourists are Mt Hagen, Goroka, Lae, Kavieng, and Kokopo.
Governor Parkop said that, seeing the tourism and business opportunities it creates, the city residents and the indigenous people will help the municipal government and police address it.
He said he was also considering the introduction of the tourist-police idea.
The city currently offers only 5,000 accommodation spaces, which are insufficient to meet the high demand from Chinese tourists.
He called for increased investments in this sector to fully harness the economic potential presented by the China-PNG direct flight.
According to the NCD Governor, comprehensive preparations with relevant Government Agencies, including PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, NCDC, and the Government of PNG, are making for the flight and work undertaken thereafter on the China Ready initiative in the city.
Governor also shared that an audit was conducted into the tourism spots, so the audit report will be presented during a China Ready workshop planned for early next year.
A roadshow is also planned to market PNG in China together with PNGTPA.
The Ambassador was informed that Governor Parkop would lead State Ministers and Government officials to Guangdong in China where they will be returning to the country on this maiden flight.