Papua New Guinea’s rich cultural heritage took centre stage just recently at the Hong Kong Holiday & Travel Expo, drawing attention from visitors through traditional performances and interactive experiences.

Traditional dancers from Rigo District in Central Province represented PNG as cultural ambassadors during the three-day event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Their traditional attire and kundu drumming captured a lot of attention from visitors, offering international audiences an introduction to Papua New Guinea’s diverse cultural traditions.

The cultural presentation formed part of a wider tourism promotion led by Air Niugini and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, which made its first appearance at the Hong Kong travel expo.

Visitors to the PNG stand were able to engage directly with the cultural ambassadors, take photographs, and learn more about the country's traditions and communities.

Local facts were emphasized such as PNG's extraordinary cultural diversity, including its more than 800 languages and hundreds of distinct tribes and cultures.

Beyond culture, tourism activities promoted ranged from diving, trekking and birdwatching to cultural festivals, island escapes and eco-tourism.

Air Niugini Regional Manager Asia, Joshua Koh, said the response from visitors had been encouraging.

"We are seeing strong interest from visitors, with thousands passing through our booth eager to learn more about Papua New Guinea's unique culture, natural beauty and adventure tourism experiences."

The cultural showcase also helped position PNG as a destination offering experiences that differ from conventional mass-tourism destinations in the region.

The Hong Kong expo, which brought together 270 exhibitors from the global tourism industry, provided PNG with an opportunity to present its cultural identity directly to potential travellers from Hong Kong and the wider Asian market.

The participation is expected to contribute to greater awareness of PNG as a tourism destination while creating opportunities for future visitor arrivals and tourism partnerships.