Calls are being made for Papua New Guinea's flagship airline Air Niugini to offer better travel options for tourists in efforts to grow the industry.
The calls follow the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's recent announcements that visitor numbers reached a record high last year and it is committed to boosting numbers further.
The Managing director of Melanesian Tourist Services, and former Cabinet Minister, Sir Peter Barter says there is no question Papua New Guinea is a beautiful and worthwhile country to visit but says flight services must improve.
"I think Air Niugini are offering seven destination fares to Australia and perhaps other places to Papua New Guinea but they're not including it as a package. In other words they're selling the airfare with conditions attached but they're not putting the package in. I would like to see Air Niugini offering a package with accommodation and promoting it properly as a product."
Sir Peter Barter says Air Niugini's image has been tarnished in the past but it is regaining its credibility.
