PNG tourism industry stakeholders with their
certificates of completion after the China Ready Workshop at APEC House on April 25
operated by marketing agency Welcome China (CBISN). Since its inception in 2002, the program has been launched in over 50 countries across six continents, holding a 27% global market share. The program is developed by a team comprising of both Chinese and expatriate members with insights into Chinese psychology and international perspectives. For example, at the POM workshop, stakeholders learned how Chinese tourists prefer to spend their time and money in the destinations they visit and how PNG can prepare for the increased numbers became familiar with accepted practices when in the presence of the Chinese (basic etiquette lessons), lucky of Chinese tourists in the future. They and unlucky numbers and colours, how to receive business cards from others when meeting for the first time, and also seating arrangements during a sit-down dinner. What sets CBISN’s China Ready program
apart is its strong engagement with industry players in China, where it is recognised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The initiative follows the arrival to Port Moresby in December last year of the inaugural China Southern Airlines flight from the southern port city of Guangzhou, which has a population of over 14.5 million and is located northwest of Hong Kong on the Pearl River. The city is at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, the most populous built-up metropolitan area in the world. The flight, the first of continuing weekly
PNG Air information stand at the China Ready Workshop
direct flights between PNG and mainland China, heralded an era of increased connectivity between the two countries, with a Port Moresby China Ready Audit conducted in October 2023 to assess PNG’s readiness to accept an anticipated influx of Chinese tourists. The workshop in April was the next step, with representatives of local travel agencies, tour operators, the National Airports Corporation,
hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, mobile network providers and small businesses all in attendance and issued with a certificate of completion. For PNG Air, the expansion of its fleet in the coming months, will help position it to cater to the needs of any Chinese tourists who choose the airline as their domestic carrier. back bigger and better. workshop training, combined with the
Welcome of the first China Southern Airlines flight into Port Moresby in December 2023
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