Update From Tourism Tonga ^Featured

Most of the yachties had never been to Tonga before and were delighted with the basket of fresh veges provided by Tourism Tonga - they had been at sea for around ten days, so a bit of green stuff was gratefully received.  There are still no veges in the market in Ha'apai.  Thanks to Ha'apai Beach Resort for being so hospitable to these visitors, and I know that Serenity Beach Resort and Talitali'anga will be equally as welcoming.  Mana and I took the opportunity whilst in Ha'apai to visit all the smaller guest houses in Pangai to take photos and details, so we can develop some accommodation brochures for them.

Jeff le Strange from Hakula Lodge popped into the Visitor Information Centre last week to update us on fishing events being planned for Vava'u.  There's one in mid-September and another late October - a great way to boost the shoulder season.  We are going to help Jeff promote these game fishing events in New Zealand and Australia.

On the subject of events, Tourism Tonga are planning for a Welcoming of the Whales event in early July while all the journalists and camera crew are around for the Coronation.  With increased accommodation capacity in 2016, there are opportunities for further growth during the Whale Watch season.  The event will be steeped in Tongan culture and tradition, with ceremonial songs, dance, kava and outrigger canoes.  A video is going to be produced to be spread virally, to cement the link in people's minds between whale encounters and Tonga.  This year, because of the Coronation, the Welcoming of the Whales will be held in Nuku'alofa, but the idea is to move to other venues in future years.

It's been busy on the airline front.  We have been working with Fiji Airways to provide supporting information about Vava'u and what it has to offer.  This is to help them with their plan to add a Nadi - Vava'u route, as detailed in all the media last week.  Fiji Airways is hoping to start this service as soon as possible, and we are excited about the opportunities for Vava'u.  This opens up the destination for easier access from North America, Asia and Europe, so we need to work closely with them to ensure we market this new service to fill the capacity - twice a week hopefully, with 68 people per flight.

Virgin have some really aggressive holiday package deals on offer for Tonga, flying from either Auckland or Sydney.  Check them out here https://travel.virginaustralia.com/au/holidays/tonga?origin_airport_nid=3613.  We are working to build a much closer relationship with Virgin with more regular deals being promoted by them, and stronger advertising of Tonga via their Auckland and Sydney routes.

We currently have a visiting journalist from Next Magazine who will be showcasing Tonga in their June/July issue and next week we have a journalist from the Herald on Sunday newspaper.  Lastly we have a journalist from Woman's Day Magazine who will be visiting Tongatapu and Vava'u to feature a romantic getaway.  Thanks to all the operators who are helping Seini to support these key visits - remember that a written article with great photographs is at least three times as powerful as just a paid ad placement.

Some of you may be interested to see the breakdown of the main country of residence of the visitors we had last year - 49% were from New Zealand, 22% Australia, 12% USA, 6% Europe, 5% other Pacific Islands and 4% Asia.  This is unchanged from the year before.  With potential changes in inbound air routes it will be interesting to see how these numbers change in 2015.

Don't forget the Tourism Industry Day next Thursday and Friday at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre.  It would be great to get as many of the industry there as possible to discuss the key issues going forward.

Fay Moorfield | Marketing Manager | Tourism Tonga (Tonga Tourism Authority)
PO Box 37, Nuku’alofa, Tonga | Located at Vuna Rd Visitor Information Centre
Mobile: +676 781 9831 | Office: +676 21 332
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.tongaholiday.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tonga