The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) has officially sworn in its new Board members during a ceremony at Kwalimu Haus in Port Moresby, marking a key step in strengthening governance and oversight across the nation’s tourism sector.
The appointments complete TPA’s legal requirements under the TPA Act 1993, ensuring the Authority operates with proper governance and accountability.
The new Board includes ex-officio members such as the Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, the Head of the Department responsible for Finance and Planning, and the Chief Executive Officer of TPA. Other members represent key segments of the tourism industry, including tour operators, the national airline, hoteliers, tourism attractions, third-level airlines, banks and financial institutions, and the tourism industry association. This diverse composition is designed to ensure broad and balanced representation of the sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Belden Norman Namah, congratulated the new board members, describing their appointment as timely. “The board’s leadership is vital for building tourism infrastructure, strengthening community participation, and forging a sustainable public-private partnership framework for tourism development in PNG,” he said.
TPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Eric Mossman Uvovo, emphasised the significance of the swearing-in. “This is more than a procedural requirement. It marks a renewed commitment to stronger governance, effective policy implementation, and better collaboration across the tourism sector,” he said.
The newly constituted Board is expected to lead TPA in strengthening tourism governance and oversight, enhancing partnerships with provincial authorities and industry stakeholders, and supporting sustainable tourism development that benefits local communities and businesses.
It will also ensure that policies translate into real, positive outcomes for tourism operators, including SMEs, while promoting Papua New Guinea’s cultural and natural attractions globally.
