Six participants at the Institute of Banking and Business Management’s (IBBM) campus were presented Project Management certificates by the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) on Friday, 23rd of August 2024 in Port Moresby. Among the proud recipients of the certificates were TPA’s sponsored participants, Leo Ameua, Acting Advisor for Commerce Industry & Tourism with the Central Provincial Administration, and Muriel Gerari, Acting Tourism Coordinator for the National Capital District Commission (NCDC). Both participants expressed their gratitude to TPA for providing this valuable opportunity to enhance their professional skills. Ameua highlighted the significance of the training in enhancing his capacity with his work whereas stated that through this workshop, has learnt how to analyze and collect data effectively, which is crucial for making informed decisions in their projects. “I’ve gained insights into managing my team more efficiently, ensuring that we can carry out our projects with greater precision and success.” Gerari also shared the same sentiments by thanking TPA for its support. “This training is vital for our work in tourism, particularly in understanding how to manage resources, including finances, more efficiently." "These skills are essential to ensuring that our projects are completed to the highest standards.” Led by IBBM’s Manager of Special Projects, Ignatius Timothy, who commended the participants for their dedication. “It’s commendable that all these participants took time off from their busy schedules to build their project management skills." "Their hard work and commitment will undoubtedly benefit their respective regions, their work and the broader tourism sector.” He also extended his appreciation to TPA and other supporting organizations for their commitment to capacity building for their respective industries. The training was designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to develop project plans that align with timelines, budgets, and resource requirements. In addition, the participants also gained proficiency in using essential project management tools, such as Gantt charts and project management software, enhancing their ability to deliver successful projects. The TPA’s sponsorship is part of a broader strategy to certify all 22 provincial tourism officers in project management. This effort is aimed at strengthening provincial offices to effectively coordinate and implement tourism projects, thereby achieving the Tourism Sector Development Plan’s (TSDP) Governance subsector objectives at the provincial level. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of TPA, Eric Mossman Uvovo, congratulated the participants on their achievement and wished them success in their careers. He expressed how pleased he was to see all tourism industry members excel through the skills and knowledge they acquire from such training programs. With that, he said TPA is eager to continue developing the industry by investing in the professional growth of the tourism officers and highlighted the importance of the training aimed at strengthening the tourism industry in the country. “The goal of the Governance subsector is to provide leadership, synergy, and coordination to strengthen the tourism sector.” “By equipping Provincial Tourism Bureaus with the necessary skills, TPA ensures that these offices are well-prepared to coordinate and implement the TSDP effectively within their provinces, driving the growth and sustainability of Papua New Guinea’s tourism industry.” The one-week workshop commenced on the 19th of August and concluded on the 23rd of August at the IBBM Training Centre. TPA SPONSORS SUCCESSFUL PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRAINING