Papua New Guinea has received international recognition after winning the Best Booth award in the National Tourism Organisation (NTO) category at the 2026 Travel Madness Expo held in Manila, Philippines, from 10–12 July 2026.
The award recognised Papua New Guinea’s vibrant exhibition booth, which showcased the country’s unique tourism experiences, rich cultural heritage and diverse visitor attractions to thousands of visitors attending one of Asia’s leading travel exhibitions.
More than 170 tourism organisations, airlines, hotels, resorts and travel agencies from the Philippines and across Asia participated in the three-day expo, making the award a significant achievement for Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea was represented by Air Niugini and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA), supported by local 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. Together, they promoted Papua New Guinea’s world-class diving, birdwatching, trekking, cultural festivals, pristine islands, coffee, artifacts and authentic visitor experiences.
The Travel Madness Expo is one of the Philippines’ largest consumer travel exhibitions, providing a platform for airlines, tourism organisations, hotels and travel companies to market destinations, launch travel packages, build industry partnerships and encourage outbound travel. The annual event attracts thousands of visitors looking for holiday inspiration and exclusive travel offers, making it an important marketing opportunity for participating destinations.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Milne said the award reflected the strength of the partnership between Air Niugini, PNGTPA and the 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.”
“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 is proud to support tourism growth by improving connectivity and promoting our country across our international network.”
Air Niugini’s Regional Manager Asia, Mr Joshua Koh, who coordinated the airline’s participation alongside PNGTPA and industry partners, said the award came as an unexpected but welcome surprise.
“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.”
“This award belongs to everyone who contributed to the Papua New Guinea stand, including PNGTPA, our tourism operators, hotel partners and the Air Niugini team. It shows that by working together, we can stand alongside much larger destinations and leave a lasting impression.”
Mr Koh said participation in regional travel exhibitions continues to play an important role in attracting visitors and strengthening trade partnerships across Asia.
Following the expo in Manila, Air Niugini and PNGTPA will continue promoting Papua New Guinea at major tourism events across Asia, including the NATAS Travel Fair in Singapore from 21–23 August 2026, Holiday and Travel Expo in Hong Kong from 25-27 September expanding PNG’s presence in key regional markets.
The Best Booth Award reinforces Papua New Guinea’s growing reputation as one of the Pacific’s most authentic and exciting tourism destinations and highlights the value of collaboration between the national airline, PNGTPA and the private tourism sector
