The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) strongly condemns the recent attack on tourists at Roku Beach, Central Province, including the brutal killings in the Upper Highlands region, and the kidnapping of a helicopter crew in the Hela Province. These heinous acts not only devastated communities and local service providers but also had significant repercussions on the tourism sector in PNG. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PNGTPA, Mr. Eric Uvovo spoke on the effects of negative publicity on tourism in the country. “PNG has faced a torrent of negative publicity, not only from these incidents, but also from the ‘Black Wednesday’ civil unrest that caused an inferno of international media coverage casting a shadow over the entire country, and painting an inaccurate picture of Papua New Guinea as an unsafe destination for travelers.” Since the January 2024 riots, the PNGTPA research team has been monitoring travel advisories and media coverage from key source markets, and reports indicate that PNG has since been flagged as an extremely high security-risk destination, particularly for Americans, Australians, and Chinese visitors. In fact, the tourism industry is already being impacted by the growing public awareness of the country's law and order issues, said the CEO. This was evident when two major cruise lines that were scheduled to visit the country this year had to cancel their PNG cruise itineraries due to the January civil riots and looting. “In light of the serious law-and-order issues traumatizing our country’s economy, we seek immediate intervention by the PNG Government to curb the surge in violent crimes. Normalcy must be restored to encourage consumer confidence in PNG as a tourist destination. Papua New Guineans must also be responsible law-abiding citizens, demonstrating respect, duty-of-care and national pride – all this contributes to a safer society – not just for tourists, but for everyone residing in Papua New Guinea.” “In the meantime, the PNGTPA commends the government for continuing to have our country's borders open, we also commend our tourism industry who have shown an incredible amount of resilience during these difficult times," said the CEO. "For those still planning to visit our beautiful country, we recommend booking your trip with a reputable tour operator in the country." “If international visitors require additional information on tour operators, please contact our marketing and promotions division for confirmation." “PNGTPA acknowledges the urgent need for collaborative action to address this issue and restore confidence in tourism for Papua New Guinea.” “We are committed to working closely with relevant authorities, including law enforcement agencies, provincial governments, local communities, and tourism stakeholders, to implement effective strategies aimed at improving safety and security for visitors.” “PNGTPA will also be setting up a 24-hour emergency helpline for tourists, which will be available in the coming weeks.” Mr. Uvovo also urged the media to contact the PNGTPA and the tourism industry to learn about PNG's beautiful and awe-inspiring destinations, as well as to proactively share positive tourist stories and experiences, both local and international, in order to counter negative perceptions and highlight the country's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. The PNGTPA remains steadfast in its efforts to promote PNG as a safe and appealing tourist destination. “We encourage all stakeholders to join us in our efforts to address the challenges confronting the tourism industry and restore trust in tourism for the benefit of our communities and economy.”