Playing to an audience consisting of travel agents, wholesalers, media as well as other guests the Tonga Tourism Bureau used the opportunity to announce initiatives to attract back tourists and ex-patriate Tongans to the Kingdom.

 

The night also gave opportunity to representatives from Vava`u, Ha`apai, `Eua, Tongatapu and the far-flung islands of Niuatoputapu and Niuafo`ou to showcase the unique features their island group offers the overseas tourist.

 

Tonga Tourism Bureau Marketing Co-ordinator, Kololiana Naufahu, along with other keynote speakers emphasized that the infamous Friendly Islander nature of locals is still there and that the 16/11 riot damage has already been cleared and “things are back to normal…”

 

According to a Press Release from the Tonga Tourism Minister Hon. Fineasi Funaki, who was also present on the night, one major initiative is the organization of a “Tourism Week” in December throughout all the islands of the kingdom. Planned events to be held consecutively include tourist activities in the whale watching islands of Vava`u, fisherman haven Ha`apai, rain forested `Eua and of course the main island Royal Tongatapu.

 

After the Road Show had concluded, the Minister announced in an exclusive interview with TNews that he had appointed NZ-born Tongan Will `Ilolahia as a change consultant to fulfill Tonga’s tourism representation in Aotearoa. Will `Ilolahia has accepted the position.

 

One of the many highlights of the night was the traditional dances performed by selected members of the Tongan National Centre who traveled from the Kingdom to attend the Road Show.

 

The Road Show commenced in Christchurch before heading to Wellington and concluding in Auckland.

 

STORY: Sulieni Layt

EMAIL: sulieni@tnews.co.nz