The quick reality
Corruption is openly discussed and widely criticised inside PNG. It is a genuine governance problem.
For a tourist on a planned trip, it mostly shows up indirectly — services that underperform, projects unfinished, systems slower than they should be.
Most visitors are not asked for anything improper during a normal holiday.
What you should know
How it actually affects visitors
- Infrastructure and public services that do not match the money spent on them.
- Administrative processes that take longer or need more follow-up than you would expect.
- Occasional informal requests in unregulated situations — most often around unofficial "fees" for access, parking, photography or land.
What this is not
- It is not a shakedown culture aimed at tourists.
- It does not mean local operators are dishonest — most are working hard within a difficult system.
What this means for a traveller
- Use established operators and confirmed arrangements, and you largely stay out of these situations.
- If something feels like an unofficial demand, having a local host with you is the fastest way to resolve it calmly.
What I recommend
- Never pay anything improper. Stay polite, do not argue, and refer it to your host or operator.
- Agree prices and inclusions in advance, in writing where possible.
- Access to land, villages and sites should be arranged through the right local people, not negotiated on the spot.
HausLink approach
- We intend to work with operators who quote clearly and honour what they quote, and to keep pricing and inclusions transparent in writing.
Last reviewed: September 2026