Papua New Guinea has won the Best Booth Award in the National Tourism Organisation (NTO) category at the 2026 Travel Madness Expo in Manila, Philippines, highlighting the country's growing profile as a tourism destination in Asia.
The award was presented during the three-day expo held from July 10 to 12, recognizing Papua New Guinea's exhibition booth for showcasing the country's tourism experiences, cultural heritage and visitor attractions.
More than 170 tourism organizations, airlines, hotels, resorts and travel agencies from the Philippines and across Asia participated in the event, one of the region's largest consumer travel exhibitions.
Papua New Guinea was represented by Air Niugini and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), supported by tourism operators and hospitality partners including Kokopo Beach Bungalow, Karanas Tours, Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, Alibi Bar & Grill, Akura, Daikoku Japanese Restaurant, Cuppa Cafe, Asia Aromas and PNG Coffee.
The delegation promoted Papua New Guinea's diving, birdwatching, trekking, cultural festivals, islands, coffee, handicrafts and other tourism experiences.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne said the recognition reflected the strong partnership between the national airline, PNGTPA and the country's tourism industry.
"This recognition is a wonderful achievement for Papua New Guinea. It demonstrates what can be accomplished when the national airline, PNGTPA and our tourism operators work together to showcase our country as a vibrant, welcoming and authentic destination," Milne said.
He added that international travel exhibitions remain an important platform for building relationships with travel partners, increasing destination awareness and encouraging more visitors to experience Papua New Guinea.
Air Niugini Regional Manager for Asia Joshua Koh, who coordinated the airline's participation alongside PNGTPA and industry partners, said winning the award exceeded expectations.
"We came to Manila with one objective—to promote Papua New Guinea as a destination and support our tourism industry. Winning the Best Booth Award was something we never expected, making this recognition even more special," Koh said.
He said the recognition belonged to all organizations that contributed to the country's exhibition and demonstrated that Papua New Guinea could compete alongside much larger tourism destinations through collaboration.
The Travel Madness Expo serves as a platform for tourism organizations, airlines, hotels and travel companies to market destinations, launch travel packages and build partnerships with travel agents and consumers across the region.
Following the Manila event, Air Niugini and PNGTPA will continue promoting Papua New Guinea at regional tourism exhibitions, including the NATAS Travel Fair in Singapore in August and the Holiday and Travel Expo in Hong Kong in September.
The Best Booth Award underscores Papua New Guinea's efforts to strengthen its presence in key Asian tourism markets through coordinated promotion by the national airline, tourism authority and private sector partners.
