Recognized as the Best Luxury Island Resort in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea by Luxury Lifestyle Awards in 2025, Loloata Island Resort stands as a testament to modern island luxury infused with sustainability and local authenticity. In this exclusive conversation, Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, sits down with General Manager Alex Wilson to discuss the evolution of the resort, its approach to marine conservation, and how luxury can coexist harmoniously with nature.

Alexander Chetchikov: Alex, congratulations to Loloata Island Resort on being named Best Luxury Island Resort in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. To begin, what does this recognition mean to you and the team?

Alex Wilson: This is for our valued staff and just as important a thank you to our valued guests for nominating Loloata Island Resort as their home away from home with all the luxuries that allows one to enjoy their stay with us.

AC: The resort sits on a marine reserve with a deep commitment to conservation. How do you balance delivering a luxurious experience while protecting such a fragile ecosystem?

AW: Awareness and Engagement between our valued guests and our conservation & marine teams is key. We provide educational sessions by the beach weekly both educating and participating in what we have in our corals nursery, clams nursery, mangrove nursery, organic herbs & recycling farm, etc. We also highlight how we engage local villagers in our cleanup activities and campaigns either at the island resort or their community where our teams and afew guest participate in.

There are other areas of recycling, water management and waste smart initiatives we ensure or guests are aware that their stay contributes to the environment itself.

Most of our valued guests are corporate leisure who are responsible in their company practices and values, many participate or forward suggestions including some best practices.

AC: Luxury travel is evolving rapidly. In your view, what defines “true luxury” for today’s discerning guests?

AW: Luxury travel in our part of the world is about the reassuring experience one enjoys from destination to destination knowing all the compliances, safety and experience is an experience within itself with value adds in culture, local peoples and its natural environment. Loloata Island Resort offers services that our luxury guests enjoy from Spa services, Overwater bungalows, great food with local influences, amazing snorkelling and diving locations and our friendly staff.

 AC: Many of your guests describe Loloata as a sanctuary where elegance meets exploration. How do you create that seamless blend of comfort and adventure?

AW: Our guests experiences are from years of refinements in the details of how we provide our services, our standards and exceeding the expectations with the upkeep of the finer details of Luxury comforts.

AC: From over-water villas to world-class diving, the resort offers an impressive range of experiences. Which aspects of Loloata do guests find most transformative?

AW: Our 29 dive sites is what our international and regular guests come to enjoy with war relics, amazing reefs and incredible marine wildlife.

Our overwater bungalows have witnessed some amazing marine wildlife passing by right off your own balcony and lounge.

AC: Turning to the industry itself, what are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities you see for hospitality in Papua New Guinea and the wider Pacific region?

AW: The opportunity in PNG is immense due to its natural beautiful incredible natural offerings both on land and in the oceans. The people of the Pacific and here in PNG is amazing, some of the friendliest people on our planet so rich in culture, colour, diversity and traditions. A key challenge is the limited local airlines offerings and regularity.

AC: The resort offers coral transplanting and mangrove planting experiences. How do initiatives like these shape guest perception and engagement with the brand?

AW: Our marine team conducts weekly educational sessions on these activities and available to engage guests who wishes to plant corals or mangroves or clean giant clams. This is very important for the resort as we also engage Marine Science graduates and experienced volunteers from local communities to learn of their traditional practices combined with innovation and proven science alternatives.

AC: As General Manager, how do you ensure that every guest leaves Loloata feeling not just satisfied, but genuinely connected to the island and its story?

AW: It is a KPI for all hospitality General Manager, our greetings from arrival, dining experiences, activities meet expectations, remain a high standard that is consistent in all aspects of standards and service deliveries. Facilitate the knowledge and technical skills required to go beyond the value for money and value adds. A stay with us is an experience from the arrival to the departure in all offerings that includes the landscape of activities, environment and personal preferences or special events.

Thank you, Alex, for sharing your insights and passion for redefining island luxury with purpose and authenticity.

To learn more, visit https://www.loloataislandresort.com/.