PNG has Pacific’s greatest untapped tourism potential: INA

Travel

INSTITUTE of National Affairs (INA) executive director Paul Barker says Papua New Guinea has the Pacific’s greatest untapped tourism potential.

Mr Barker said together with its small neighbour, Solomon Islands and neighbouring West Papua, PNG has amongst the most impressive coastal, mountain and island terrain in the tropics and around the world, as well as amongst the world’s most vibrant and diverse cultural makeup.

“Yes, it’s tourism industry is relatively small and localised, albeit a larger urban hospitality industry,” Mr Barker said.

“The industry has the great advantage of potentially generating extensive employment, at relatively low unit cost and spreading it widely across the provinces.

“PNG already has significant visitors for the Kokoda Track, the big shows in Hagen, Goroka, Rabaul and Alotau, as well as niche markets for surfing, diving and other activities.

 “Its potential growth depends upon costs being restrained, (air, land and sea travel), safety and security, investment in core infrastructure, education, training and awareness, as well as promotion.

“Instead of so many security guards, PNG should have more wine waiters, baristas, guides, boat crew, birding guides, rural air services which provide local public including health and business as well as tourism services.

“Clearly, conflicts in several of PNG’s provinces must be addressed, but all the Highlands provinces should have fine tourism potential, not for mass tourism, but niche markets, but the public and authorities need to set the conditions for businesses to invest and the local and international tourists to want to come and to feel safe.”

In 2024, tourism in PNG is estimated to have generated approximately K550 million, according to the Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA).

Responding to questions from this paper, a report released highlighted that the figures demonstrate its importance as a vital economic sector that not only offers unforgettable experiences for travellers but also supports local communities and helps preserve the country’s unique traditions.

In 2024, PNG welcomed more than 100,000 tourists by air in 2024 and received an estimated 30,000 cruise ship visitors, according to the TPA.

These travellers contributed an impressive K127 million to the local economy, bringing the total impact to K550 million.

In terms of this year’s prospects in the Tourism sector, TPA boss Eric Uvovo said the outlook for Papua New Guinea in 2025 is highly promising, with a significant increase in inbound tourists expected.

 The government is actively investing in infrastructure development and reinforcing regulations to enhance these facilities.

Smelly South Phoenix Mulching Business To Cease Operations

Business News

A Laveen composting business is shutting down as a result of a lawsuit filed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

According to Maricopa County, the operators of Growers Market agreed to resolve the matter by consenting to the County’s request that they be prohibited from operating a composting facility on the property at issue.
Growers Market further consented to a list of stringent County stipulations that will put a prompt end to the business’s operations and ensure the removal of the offending material.
The settlement reduces the time the property owner has to remove all mulching material by 9 days from an early administrative order. In the earlier administrative judgment, the business was required to vacate the premises by March 10, but now, the settlement specifies that the property must be vacated by March 1.
Effective immediately, no new composting material besides fuel to run the trucks and other equipment may be brought onto the property. Starting January 20, all grinding or screening of mulch material must cease and all related equipment must be removed from the property. Until the property is cleared, Growers Market is permitted to haul off remaining mulch and materials Monday though Friday between 7am and 5pm through the March 1st deadline. Growers Market must allow access to the property for regular inspections and provide weekly progress reports to the County. If Growers Market does not comply with the order, the operators will be personally liable for a penalty of $1,000 per day.
Inspections conducted in the last few months of 2024 led to the Board’s decision on December 11, which authorized the County Attorney’s Office to seek an injunction to enforce the zoning ordinance violation. The business still does not have the required special use permit to run a composting operation in a rural/residential zone.

$2M awarded to over 80 Kentucky tourism marketing organizations

Travel

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 87 tourism marketing organizations across 80 counties are receiving $2 million. Funding will be through the Regional Marketing and Matching Funds Program, per the release. “Kentucky’s $13.8 billion tourism industry is essential to our economic success, helping create vibrant communities that people love to visit and call home,” said Gov. Beshear in a release. “This program helps tourism organizations by providing the marketing resources needed to showcase our commonwealth’s unique experiences and rich heritage, which will bring even more visitors to our New Kentucky Home.”The breakdown of funding by region is as follows:$574,956 – Louisville Lincoln Region$361,123 – Bluegrass Region$257,969 – Western Waterland Region$233,048 – Northern Kentucky Tourism Region$197,775 – Cave Region$104,341 – Eastern Highlands South Region$98,094 – Green River Region$96,675 – Southern Kentucky Region$76,019 – Eastern Kentucky North RegionCopyright 2025 WBKO. All rights reserved.

World ‘teetering on edge’ of breaching Paris Agreement, scientists say

Science and Health

The targets in the agreement, which saw countries around the world pledge to keep warming below 2C and ideally within 1.5C, refer to long-term warming over several decades, not a single year. But last year’s unprecedented temperatures are a sign that the world is getting close to breaching the lower goal of the Paris Agreement, scientists say. 

“Each year in the last decade is one of the 10 warmest on record. We are now teetering on the edge of passing the 1.5C level defined in the Paris Agreement, and the average of the last two years is already above this level,” said Samantha Burgess, climate lead at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which manages Copernicus.

“A single year with temperatures 1.5C above pre-industrial levels does not mean we’ve reached 1.5C of global warming. However, it does mean we’re getting dangerously close,” said Joeri Rogelj, research director at Imperial College London’s climate-focused Grantham Institute. 

That makes 2024 the first year to exceed the totemic 1.5C barrier associated with the 2015 Paris Agreement. | John Macdougal/Getty Images

While the naturally warming El Niño phenomenon contributed to higher temperatures last year, the scientists are clear that man-made climate change — driven by burning oil, gas and coal, which all release carbon dioxide — is the main cause. Last year, levels of CO2 and other planet-warming greenhouse gases in the atmosphere hit another record, the scientists said. 

The consequences of climate change, such as more frequent and severe extreme weather, increase with every tenth of a degree of warming; beyond 1.5C, the planet risks crossing thresholds that could trigger abrupt changes and climatic feedback loops. 

Warmer air holds more moisture, and the scientists found that the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere reached a record last year at 5 percent above the 1991-2020 average. 

University of Washington student in conflict over enrollment innovation

Technology

JD Kaim, a sophomore computer science major, created a tool that effectively facilitates class-swapping among students. He’s now at odds with school administrators.

SEATTLE — A University of Washington student says he is facing disciplinary action after creating a website designed to streamline the course enrollment process for his peers. JD Kaim, a sophomore computer science major, developed the platform as part of a software engineering course. Despite removing the site at the university’s request, Kaim now finds himself at odds with school administrators.

Kaim, who grew up immersed in technology with parents working in the field, described his project as a tool to facilitate class-swapping among students. “I just wanted to make a framework so that everybody could participate and get the classes they want,” Kaim said.

The website allowed students to anonymously list classes they wished to drop and those they wanted to join, aiming to improve what Kaim described as an imperfect registration system. “A lot of people say, ‘Hey, I want to get into this class, but I can’t,’” Kaim explained. “By creating this anonymous platform, you could help people swap into classes regardless of their connections.”

However, university officials did not share Kaim’s enthusiasm for the project. According to an email sent by the school, the site violated UW’s registration policies, specifically prohibiting the use of automated tools for enrollment. Despite Kaim’s decision to take down the site, the university placed a hold on his academic record, preventing him from registering for future courses until he meets with school officials.

“They’ve put me on a registration hold,” Kaim said, describing the situation as “a soft expulsion.” He expressed concern about the potential impact on his academic future, noting that he has enough credits to graduate as early as May.

The controversy escalated after Kaim shared his experience in a LinkedIn post that quickly gained attention. Many professionals in the tech industry voiced support for the young software engineer, praising his creativity and initiative. 

“I want to be a software engineer. I want to help make the world a better place,” Kaim said. 

While he is encouraged by the outpouring of support, he hopes to continue his education at UW.

In response to inquiries about the matter, the university has yet to issue a formal statement. However, in its communication with Kaim, officials emphasized that the current enrollment system, which dates back to the 1980s, does not allow for student-created workarounds.

“I feel that by making this public, I can show people that if you’re in the right, you don’t need to back down just because a large institution is pressuring you,” Kaim said. He insists that his platform did not violate policies against buying, selling, or trading classes but merely facilitated voluntary class swaps.

As Kaim awaits a meeting with school officials, he remains hopeful for a resolution that will allow him to continue his studies. “I don’t want to join the list of college dropouts in the software world,” he said. “I’m flattered by the encouragement, but I want to finish my education here.”

CNMI Pitches Education Tourism and Renewable Energy Investment to Taiwan Government

Travel

Chia Ping Liu, Director General of TECO; Celina Roberto Babauta; Shawn H. Yang, TECO Deputy Director General; and Frankie Eliptico pose for a photo following their January 7, 2025 meeting at Hyatt Regency Guam.
A Saipan senator and the Northern Marianas College’s vice president established an informal agreement with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office to promote educational tourism to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and to advance the CNMI’s renewable energy goals.
Celina Roberto Babauta and the NMC’s Frankie Eliptico on Tuesday met with TECO director Chia Ping Liu and deputy director Shawn Yang at the Hyatt Regency Guam.
“The NMC has agreements with educational institutions in Japan and South Korea and we are now seeking ways to broaden our partnerships with other Asian institutions,” Ms. Babauta said in a news release about the meeting.
According to the senator, Mr. Eliptico pitched to the Taiwanese officials NMC’s growing, technologically advanced campus along with cultural experiences Taiwan exchange students can have in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota with the CNMI’s comparatively low cost of living. Part of Mr. Eliptico’s effort also is to secure endowments to the college from Taiwan sources, according to him.
The senator told the officials Taiwan scientists might be interested in “development related to mining and processing the high quality of pozzolan materials on Pagan Island, collaborating on research and development of renewable energy sources such as geothermal energy,” according to her news release. CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios earlier this week told Kandit he is pushing the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to get serious about the CNMI’s renewable energy goals in order to reduce the significant burden the aging and expensive fuel-based power systems in the islands have placed on residents.
“This constant volcanic activity on Mt. Pagan creates a consistent source of heat deep underground, making geothermal energy extraction a foreseeable source of energy in the future,” Ms. Babauta said.
According to the release, Mr. Liu said he appreciated the discussions and “expressed a strong interest in establishing immediate and concrete avenues for collaboration between Taiwanese universities and NMC as well as mutual economic opportunities.”
TECO officials have yet to respond to Kandit’s request for comments about the meeting.
“I look forward to good things coming from our meeting,” Mr. Eliptico said.
Both parties agreed to move toward formalizing this partnership and agenda, according to Ms. Babauta’s office.
Both Ms. Babauta and Mr. Eliptico personally paid for their airfare, lodging, ground transportation, and all expenses related to this trip. Mr. Eliptico said he will be seeking reimbursement from NMC for his flight cost, which was $399.

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Parks Tau not throwing in the towel on Amsa’s long steel business

Business News

Minister of trade, industry and competition says the government has not given up on finding a solution 09 January 2025 – 09:17 Parks Tau, the minister of trade, industry and competition, says the government has not given up on finding a solution that might save ArcelorMittal SA’s (Amsa) long steel business, which is on the verge of being shut down, alongside 3,500 jobs, in a move that would devastate the Newcastle and Vereeniging economies.The move by Amsa’s will also have serious implications for Transnet, which might be forced to import the steel it needs for the refurbishment of its vast railway infrastructure that has been besieged by theft and vandalism…

Faster, please: the ADF needs to catch up on uncrewed-aircraft technologies

Technology

The rapidly deteriorating strategic environment necessitates a shift in defence strategies and capabilities. The Australian Defence Force (ADF), like many military forces globally, must acknowledge that uncrewed systems will play an important role in future conflicts. It must accelerate its processes for developing their capability.
Russia’s war against Ukraine and fighting in the Red Sea have demonstrated a rapid proliferation of high volume, low-cost technologies that are now indispensable on the battlefield. In light of this, the ADF should further develop and implement strategies for uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) and counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UASs).
These strategies should provide clear guidelines on accelerating ADF access to UASs across air, land and sea; investments in and collaboration with the UAS industry; defining roles of civil and military authorities; and ways to counter drone threats.
The 2024 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and associated spending plan, the Integrated Investment Program, recognise the importance of enhancing Australia’s drone and counter-drone capabilities. The Defence Department does include UASs in ‘robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence’, one of its sovereign industrial capability priorities, but this covers only limited aspects of UASs, not the technology’s full breadth of capability and the need for large-scale manufacturing. Moreover, there is no evidence of recently developed or released strategies specifically addressing UASs and C-UASs.
By contrast, Australia’s allies, including the United States, Britain, France and South Korea, have already developed or revised their strategies. These are based in part on observations of the use of drones in Ukraine and understanding the need to protect against them. For example, the US released a C-UAS strategy in early December. Britain launched a new UAS strategy in February 2024 highlighting clear directions for enhancing UAS capabilities and for spending for the next decade. The ADF can similarly provide clear directions to accelerate access to UASs and C-UAS across air, land and sea by developing its own strategies.
The NDS calls for integrating existing and emerging technologies and for boosting military-industrial capacity with secure supply chains. The war in Ukraine has shown that a country needs to develop its own supply chain, manufacturing capabilities and stocks. The Australian industry is highly skilled and capable of doing this, but it needs direction through clear policy guidelines.
The ADF must recognise the need to balance between investing in complex, highly capable systems and high-volume, low-cost technologies that can provide quick and simple solutions for a range of security challenges.
The Integrated Investment Program includes spending on a range of uncrewed and autonomous systems. The ADF plans to spend more than $10 billion on drones, with at least $4.3 billion on uncrewed aerial systems and $690 million on uncrewed tactical systems for the army.
So far, Australia’s spending on UASs has focused on complex aircraft, such as the Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat, designed to operate alongside crewed aircraft or to independently increase aircraft numbers in combat. The air force has begun receiving MQ-4C Tritons, an unarmed, high-altitude and long-endurance uncrewed aircraft.
The ADF will spend more than $100 million on 110 drones from the Australian manufacturers SYPAQ and Quantum-Systems. While it considers the delivery of the limited number of systems in 2025 to express ‘an intent to enhance at speed’, other nations spend far more on ensuring that warfighters have such systems and, most importantly, are protected against them.
It must also acknowledge that UASs with high-end capabilities are highly vulnerable and must be protected. The conflict in Ukraine demonstrates that large UAS have become targets that are easy to detect and destroy. For example, TB2 Bayraktars, celebrated in 2022 for their performance, are no longer frequently used. Similarly, the Russian fleet has had to relocate from parts of the Black Sea due to drone threats, such as the one in November when Ukrainian drone boats motored over 1000km and blasted three Russian warships in one blow.
Furthermore, the government must better understand the relationship between civil and military authorities and their roles and responsibilities in counteracting UAS threats.
In peacetime, civil law enforcement agencies are responsible for defence against UAS, but responsibilities may overlap in relation to military installations and critical infrastructure. Moreover, civil agencies may require military support since only the armed forces have the equipment to detect, identify and engage UAS. The government must encourage close cooperation between civil and military organisations in order to maintain an effective level of interoperability.
Regardless of how the ADF develops its own UAS, it must prepare to defend against them. Every soldier must be aware of UAS threats, learn how to use a UAS, how to counter them for self-defence and to protect others and costly equipment. As UAS technologies evolve, so do C-UAS capabilities.
As evident from Russia’s war against Ukraine, the UAS are already threats, and they are here to stay. Australia must keep up with the rapid pace of innovation in this field. It needs to demonstrate commitment to stay ahead in the development of drone technology and ensure that its armed forces are prepared in the fast-changing security landscape.

Redefining wanderlust: Hong Kong’s distinct charm to Southeast Asian travellers

Travel

This post is sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
In the post-pandemic awakening of global travel, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has masterfully captured the moment to draw Southeast Asian travellers back to its dynamic cityscape.With a multi-faceted “Hello Hong Kong” campaign since early 2023, Hong Kong is not only reclaiming its position as a travel hot spot, but also redefining its appeal to a diverse Southeast Asian audience. This resurgence goes beyond statistics; it’s about igniting a passion for exploration through personalised stories and engaging and interactive experiences.
Record arrivals boost region’s growth
The tourism revival from Southeast Asia has exhibited significant growth over the past few years. This revival is attributed to the targeted and localised strategy HKTB has adopted, resonating with varied traveller segments from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and beyond. Celebrating its millionth visitor of the year from the Philippines, Hong Kong has further solidified its appeal to Southeast Asian travellers.

HKTB celebrating its one millionth visitor from the Philippines.
Such efforts have not gone unnoticed. Accolades at the 2024 Marketing Excellence Awards highlight the success of these endeavours. From a gold win in Malaysia for influencer marketing to multiple awards in Indonesia and Thailand, HKTB’s strategic communication is paving the way for a holistic tourism experience.
The power of a localised strategy
With a deep understanding of cultural and lifestyle nuances, HKTB has launched tailored campaigns that appeal to each country’s unique audience. In the Philippines, the “Be with U” music video featuring celebrity couple KDLex, struck a chord with those seeking romantic escapades.Meanwhile, Indonesia saw a collaboration with Nada Puspita, a lifestyle fashion brand, to captivate the Muslim demographic. The Kuans, Malaysia’s renowned family of content creators, has been instrumental in spotlighting Hong Kong’s hidden treasures, and recently released its 2025 Chinese New Year music video, which was filmed in Hong Kong. In Thailand, recognisable stars such as Mario Maurer and the Horwang Sisters brings a touch of glamour and familiarity, creating compelling content to bolster Hong Kong’s presence in the region.

Regional Thai celebrity Mario Maurer exploring a variety of experiences in Hong Kong.
Hidden gems, and beyond
This year, the HKTB’s “Hide & Seek Hong Kong – Hidden Gems Discovered” campaign has invited tourists to explore beyond the usual and discover the local secrets of Hong Kong. By venturing into lesser-known neighbourhoods and serene outlying islands, visitors are encouraged to uncover their own unique piece of the city, untouched by bustling city life. This initiative taps into the rising trend of immersive and meaningful travel, designed to foster deeper connections with the places visited.

The Kuans making an appearance at HKTB’s Hidden Gems event in Kuala Lumpur.
Looking ahead: Events, and more
The year 2025 promises to be an exhilarating year for Hong Kong. As the new Kai Tak Stadium nears completion, this 50,000-seater venue is set to become the new heart for the famed rugby Hong Kong Sevens and will host its inaugural entertainment act, Coldplay, in April. These events, along with HKTB’s upcoming new brand campaign strategy, aim to reinvent the brand narrative and solidify Hong Kong’s vibrant image as a destination brimming with life and stories.
Catering to every traveller
HKTB’s commitment to inclusivity is demonstrated through its strategic focus on the Muslim travel segment, enhancing Hong Kong’s appeal as a welcoming and accommodating destination.

HKTB’s collaboration with fashion brand Nada Puspita reaches out to the Muslim demographic.
Its efforts include expanding Muslim-friendly accreditations across attractions and hospitality industries. Beyond that, HKTB’s venture into spiritual tourism in Thailand with segments such as “Fortune Seekers” showcases a deep understanding of traveller motivations, broadening its appeal through strategic trade and consumer partnerships.
The multi-faceted campaign approach that HKTB has embarked upon not only fuels wanderlust, but also propels Hong Kong as a top consideration for travellers, inviting them to rediscover its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and dynamic urban life.As Southeast Asian travellers set their sights on Hong Kong for 2025, and beyond, the city’s appeal lies in its fresh narratives and genuine hospitality, inviting everyone to write their own Hong Kong story.

Foreign tourist inflow rises by 16% in Nov

Travel

A total of 1.54 million overnight stays were recorded at accommodation establishments in November 2024, according to Statistics Finland.The number of nights spent by resident tourists was 1.08 million and that of nights spent by non-resident tourists 0.46 million.

The total number of overnight stays increased by five per cent from the year before.
The number of nights spent by resident tourists was on level with the previous year in November 2024 while the number of nights spent by non-resident tourists increased by 16 per cent from the year before.
The highest numbers of foreign visitors came from the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.
The highest number of overnight stays was recorded in Uusimaa, where the total number of overnight stays was 0.56 million.
The number of overnight stays in Uusimaa by resident tourists increased by 11 per cent and that of overnight stays by non-resident tourists grew by 20 per cent from the previous year.
The second highest number of overnight stays, 0.22 million, was recorded in Lapland, where the number of overnight stays by resident tourists went down by 18 per cent and that by non-resident tourists grew by 16 per cent from the previous year.
The occupancy rate of hotel rooms was 53 per cent and the average price of a hotel room was EUR 127. The average price of a hotel room was highest in Lapland, EUR 188.