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Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS) is the undisputed pioneer of tourism in Papua New Guinea. For 40 years tourism in the Highlands, Sepik, Coastal and Islands Regions have been opened up firstly by Talco, followed by MTS when Talco was taken over by the Barter Family.
The Chairman of MTS, Sir Peter Barter and his wife, Lady Janet began operating tours in the 60's before tourism had taken hold in Australia and other Pacific Islands. Apart from promoting tourism in PNG, MTS developed many of the hotels and facilities to enable tourists to visit interesting areas throughout PNG and other Pacific Islands.
Today, MTS is based in Madang where the Barter family have made their home and employ over 300 staff at Headquarters and throughout PNG. |
In 1967 the present Managing Director, Sir Peter Barter started Talco Tours which was then owned by Territory Airlines (TAL) and based in Goroka. Between 1967 and 1975 Talco became the largest inbound tourist operator in PNG and pioneered tourism to many regions in PNG. Some smaller tourist hotels and lodges were also operated by Talco including the Shangrila Hotel at Minj, the Kainantu Lodge in Kainantu and Karawari Lodge at Amboin on the Sepik River.
In 1975, the Barter Family acquired Talco Tours from Talair and relocated the headquarters to Madang, shortly afterwards they acquired the Hotel Madang (now the Madang Resort), the Pine Lodge at Bulolo and they managed Kiburu Lodge at Mendi and still continue to manage the Malagan Beach Resort at Kavieng. Most recently MTS has acquired the adjacent property to the Madang Resort and will open a new up market resort to be known as the "Kalibobo Village Resort".
In 1976 Melanesian Tourist Services purchased the first of four vessels to operate expeditionary cruise in PNG, the first the 'Sepik Explorer', then 'Sepik Explorer II', followed by the 'Melanesian Explorer' and in 1989 they introduced the 'Melanesian Discoverer'.
Cruises were extended to include Jayapura, the Trobriand Islands and other islands in Milne Bay and some cruises operated to the Solomon Islands and Cairns in Far North Queensland in Australia.
Apart from operating their own facilities, Melanesian Tourist Services has helped numerous locally owned tourist enterprises and have been receiving numerous awards for cultural preservation, sustainable tourism through the work of the Melanesian Foundation which directly and indirectly provides assistance to people living in remote rural areas of PNG. Some of the many smaller lodges include the Malagan Beach Resort, Kiburu Lodge in Mendi, Krangket Island in Madang, Kofure Village Guest House at Tufi as well as ground operators.
MTS is a wholly owned PNG Company dedicated to the development of tourism in PNG for the benefit of as many people as possible. The company was the recipient of the prestigous PATA Award for Cultural Heritage and Sustainable tourism in 2000.
The current Directors of Melanesian Tourist Services are:
| Sir Peter Barter, Kt, OBE |
Chairman and Managing Director |
| Lady Janet Ellen Barter |
Director |
| Andrew Barter |
Director |
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The senior staff of Melanesian Tourist Services include:
| Wenona Leyson |
Manager/MTS |
| Isaac Livanai |
Operations |
| Yayoi Yokohama |
Japanese Department |
| Ruth Japhlom |
Operations |
| Busy Bee Kudjip |
Senior Guide, Madang |
| Terri Koch |
Manager, North America Office |
| Nick Kurira |
Manager, Port Moresby Office |
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