PNG introduces new free 30-day tourist visa for Australians
15 July 2016
ETB Travel News
PAPUA New Guinea has introduced a new tourist visa for Australians. Australian passport holders can now secure a 30-day free tourist visa on arrival.
The change in visa requirements was announced this week by the PNG cabinet and is the first time this option has been available to Australian visitors.
Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority CEO, Jerry Agus (pictured), said he is delighted at the news and sees the decision as an important step forward for the tourism industry.
“We wholeheartedly welcome this news,” Mr Agus said.
“We believe that by simplifying the process and allowing visas to be granted upon arrival at no cost, this will entice more Australians to visit one of their closest neighbours.
“Over the last few years we’ve seen fantastic growth in cruising and now, with an easier visa process, we hope to see increased numbers for those arriving by plane.
“We now want to work with all the partners to ensure a streamlined process through the airport immigration system,” Mr Agus said.
“It’s an exciting time for PNG with the tourism bodies and partners strongly focusing on developing tourism infrastructure in areas including Milne Bay and Rabaul/Kokopo.
“Whilst it’s early days we are very motivated to grow this industry and welcome more tourists,” he said
PNG is only around three hours flying from Brisbane.
...while PNG nationals still have to take an HIV/AIDs as well as TB tests to get into Australia....
Posted by: Greg Steven | 17 July 2016 at 08:30 AM
Dear Phil,
Just reading many of your blogs on here I could guess you were a George Orwell acolyte. He was also a favourite of the late Robert Hughes.
Who controls the past controls the future, who controls the present controls the past.
It was a cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen.
Much of what George Orwell and Aldous Huxley wrote about in their dystopian novels is coming to fruition.
Recent developments in the UK regarding eugenics are quite alarming.
Posted by: Bernard Corden | 15 July 2016 at 07:34 PM
No wonder I have so much trouble with those automatic passport clearance machines in the Brisbane International Terminal Paul. Mutton Dutton the brick sandwich would have no such problems methinks.
I'm currently checking Orwell's '1984' re smiling computers and will get back to you.
Posted by: Philip Fitzpatrick | 15 July 2016 at 06:45 PM
Every time they appear on TV it is evident Mutton Dutton and Scomo are products of the police service and cannot dance on their feet.
William Hazlitt quoted that rules and models destroy art and genius and these two semi-literate meat heads have proven that they are lost if they are not bossed.
Posted by: Bernard Corden | 15 July 2016 at 04:37 PM
My comments in other media re Dutton. As thick as a brick sandwich.
Posted by: William Dunlop | 15 July 2016 at 04:32 PM
Haven't you heard Phil. All official recognition photos now don't allow a smile or to show your teeth as it might change the ability for computer to recognise your face.
Posted by: Paul Oates | 15 July 2016 at 03:27 PM
Jerry Agus looks really welcoming. A smile might work better getting more Oz tourists inbound.
Posted by: Philip Fitzpatrick | 15 July 2016 at 12:35 PM
Agree about equal arrangements either way Yange. Not much hope of that though with the same twits back in government in Australia. Perhaps Turnbull will make Tony Abbott immigration minister so he can find other things to turn back. God knows what Turnbull will do with Mutton Dutton, the dumb cop from Queensland - minister for women maybe?
Posted by: Philip Fitzpatrick | 15 July 2016 at 12:33 PM
Only if Australia can do something similar for us visiting Australia. Maybe relax the conditions a bit would be even better. PNG has a very close bond with Australia and things like visa should not be that very complex to get into Australia for holidays or visit friends & families. C'mon Aussie Immigrations be fair to us.
Posted by: Yange Nava | 15 July 2016 at 06:13 AM