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Papua New Guinea Travel FAQs

“WHAT SPECIFIC SERVICES DOES PNG Travel.com OFFER IN REFERENCE TO TRAVEL IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA?”
Travel rates, service, schedules, and conditions change frequently in P.N.G., so it is important to rely on an agency that is in frequent contact with Papua New Guinea. Often times, we’ll know of domestic or international flight or fare changes before they ‘officially’ appear in the computer. Also, standards of arrangements change with the various hotels, villages, and operators in New Guinea, and we know what’s going on with tourism in Papua New Guinea. Concerned about earthquakes, malaria, or crime in P.N.G.? We can reassure you with information and itineraries that best serve your needs. Need a map? Want to know about a special video or book? No travel outlet can offer our expertise with knowledge of the anthropology or artifacts of P.N.G. We also have reference information only available from years of experience with P.N.G. tourism. Even hotels in P.N.G. trust us to recruit and hire employees. PNG Travel.com will be attentive to your South Pacific travel needs and your local travel agent will be glad not to have to try to piece the nuts and bolts of a P.N.G. trip. After your return, we can also assist you in important follow-up. Can other travel outlets offer you the above?

“DO I HAVE TO BUY THE INTERNATIONAL AIR TICKETS TO AUSTRALIA AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA FROM PNG Travel.com?”
No, but we will try to the best possible service at a competitive price for you South Pacific itinerary. You can use us or your usual travel agent for international ticketing, but it will likely be to your advantage for PNG Travel.com to issue at least your land and air arrangements and should there be a change in one area or flight, we can more easily modify the other components. You may also redeem your frequent flyer miles to get to P.N.G.

“WHAT ABOUT TRAVEL TO IRIAN JAYA!”
We can arrange it. Irian is more primitive, less colorful. There are definite obstacles to including both Irian and P.N.G. on your trip, as flights between the two are infrequent and arrangements in Irian have substantially less reliability. It is strongly suggested Indonesia be done on a separate trip and including Irian Jaya then.

“I’M A VERY EXPERIENCED TRAVELER - HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH AFRICA AND HAVE TRUDGED THROUGH THE AMAZON. CAN’T I JUST LAND IN NEW GUINEA AND MAKE MY OWN ARRANGEMENTS?”
Sometimes you can, but good luck. One of our agents was a “sophisticated traveler” who had been everywhere when he first landed in Papua New Guinea, with a minimum of pre arranged packages. The trip was a swamp of costly delays and horrible frustrations . Often it’s no bargain to “do it on your own.” P.N.G. is comparatively new to tourism with one foot in the Stone Age and the other in the Jet Age; that’s part of its appeal. Less than 3% of the economy is based upon tourism. Even confirmed air and hotel bookings of independent travelers can be lost or dishonored, erroneous, or changed in rate or date. Communication can be slow or nonexistent. Your precious time and pocketbook deserve a good vacation, don’t they? Do you want to be a solo traveler when faced with a hassle or do you want the clout of a tour operator to help ensure your arrangements are as smooth as possible? Remember, sometimes even the most expensive, organized trips to New Guinea run into snags under the best of conditions.

“ARE YOU SURE IT’S WORTH TRAVELING TO P.N.G., IF IT’S SUCH A HASSLE?”
Definitely. Hundreds of clients have traveled through P.N.G. using our expertise and they invariably state it’s one of the most exciting trips ever. Many wish to and do return!

“WHAT ARE YOUR CREDENTIALS AND REFERENCES? HOW DO I KNOW I’M DEALING WITH A REPUTABLE TRAVEL OPERATOR?”
We have happy clients from all over U.S. who will provide references for our services. Feel free to ask for names of clients who have traveled with us.

‘WHAT ABOUT THE ANNUAL HIGHLANDS SHOW IN GOROKA AND/OR MT. HAGEN?”
We have space allotted for the Highlands Show, held annually and called one of the world’s great spectacles in travel. We can ensure you best arrangements at the best available hotels, as part of blocked space we hold. These trips have special added events and our knowledgeable escorts are known for being gracious and making everyone feel comfortable. Ask to be put on the special mailing list, and don’t miss it if you can. We sell more Highlands Show trips than anyone, anywhere.

“IS ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE IN FINDING THE MOST COST EFFICIENT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS AND PRE OR POST TRIP OPTIONS?”
Absolutely. We have decades of expertise in this area and can offer you special airfares, personalized service and choices based upon your interests. Ask us as early as possible while the lowest prices are still available.

“HOW DO I BEGIN TO MAKE MY ARRANGEMENTS FOR P.N.G.?”
Just contact us, and we’ll book your arrangements with only a $1000.00 deposit per booking, payable to Trans Niugini Tours. Note our address: Trans Niugini Tours, 408 East Islay Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101. Phone 800 676-1241; Fax 805 569-7669. E-mail: info@pngtravel.com

“THE CRIME SITUATION IN NEW GUINEA HAS RECEIVED SOME NOTORIETY LATELY. CAN YOU EXPLAIN MORE ON THIS TOPIC?”
In nearly twenty years of familiarity with P.N.G. tourism, only a few of our clients have been affected by crime. Since 1980 when we first offered Highlands Show trips, our clients have experienced two purse snatchings and two other losses of items in a crowd, and one robbery. In several instances the clients did not heed advice. P.N.G. tourists are seldom physically harmed in thievery. Those who choose a packaged excursion from a reliable tour operator considerably lessen their vulnerability to crime. The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby has provided the following information:
1.There have been scattered incidents involving tourists in P.N.G.
2.The tourist industry is cooperating fully and certain areas are off limits.
3.Independent travel is not recommended to out of the way places.
4.Tourists should book through reliable, well established agents.
The US State Department has a website: http://www.travel.sate.gov.newguinea.html, which we believe is incendiary for group travel. Feel free to request our updates on travel to P.N.G.

“PACKAGED EXCURSIONS IN P.N.G. ARE RATHER EXPENSIVE - AREN’T LESS EXPENSIVE OPTIONS AVAILABLE?”
Many of the supplies for the tourist infrastructure must be flown in from great distances and lodges must recruit from the U.S.A. and Australia to manage these remote facilities. Accommodation, food, and services are generally more expensive than they would be in the U.S. Most hotels are used primarily by the busy commercial sector or underutilized. Gold and oil are the most valuable exports. P.N.G. is very rich in natural resources.
Contact us if you find a less expensive excursion; we’ll explain or match the difference. Use caution should a less expensive tour package be available. The complications of P.N.G. tourism are greater than one may envision. You want to deal with a tour operator who maintains a staff in various cities of P.N.G. and who monitors operations to ensure arrangements go as smoothly as possible in an operationally difficult country. P.N.G. is not for the fainthearted. P.N.G. is not a bargain destination, but invariably clients say it’s worth every Kina.
IMPORTANT FINAL NOTES: Information on P.N.G. is admittedly difficult to find; accurate information even more so. Much as we would like to assist, this is not an office of tourism. With our frequent first hand familiarity with tourism in P.N.G., we believe this packet will be helpful in answering your questions on this destination. The enclosed is the extent of information provided until you contact us and are under deposit. Cancellation, baggage, and medical insurance are strongly advised for a more carefree holiday.
Often in slick travel promotions, certain promises are made and seldom delivered - “the last word in luxury,” or “enter a truly unspoiled world.” Instead of hype and glossy images, we provide the expertise and services required for all facets of your P.N.G. itinerary - from your first phone call to after your arrival home. When you are contemplating a major travel expenditure, such as a once-in-a-lifetime trip to P.N.G., doesn’t it make sense to work with someone who has first-hand knowledge and decades of experience? PNG Travel.com is the largest selling retailer of Papua New Guinea excursions, with happy clients from all over the U.S. Visit New Guinea before it changes. Contact us soon.

 

 
 
 
 
 
           

 

PNGTravel.com
408 E. Islay Street • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 569-2448 PH • (805) 569-7667 FAX
info@pngtravel.com • mj.murray@pngtravel.com
Photographs Courtesy of M & M Meier