Update from Tourism Tonga ^Featured

We hope that you are enjoying the short week! We are very much looking forward to the busy season ahead and are pleased to hear that Real Tonga's new J32 aircraft has been added to their fleet and started operating last Saturday.

Cruise Ships

Last Tuesday (2nd June) the Pacific Pearl visited Vava’u and Tongatapu on Wednesday (3rd June). Some positive comments from visitors were that they’ve received the “best welcoming” of their entire trip here in Tonga. The cruiseship visitors certainly enjoy the Police band, cultural show and the cleanliness of the Kingdom.

Tourism Tonga have been working with Bruno (Vava’u Tourism Office) and the local Vava’u community to set up the ‘Welcome and Farewell' programme for the Pacific Pearl and future cruiseships. We are continuing to support the welcoming and farewell programme for cruiseships.

We have also met with Olivie Ravel (Managing Director) and Frederic Bladineres (Financial Director) of Pacific Direct Line to discuss further opportunities and developments for future cruiseships visiting Tonga. This is an excellent opportunity to grow our Cruiseship market in Tonga and in the Pacific.

South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE)

Tonga will be represented at the upcoming South Pacific Tourism Exchange in Melbourne on 19 – 20 June by Owen Pau’u (Acting General Manager), Mana Kite (Digital Marketing Officer) and Tevita Palu (Director) as well as 10 other tourism operators. We have paid for 3 booths to contribute and other operators have paid for additional booths and their own travel expenses.

Owen will also be attending the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Board of Directors meeting in Melbourne from the 16 – 18 June.

Marketing Activities:

Free Brochures

Mana is currently working on brochures for tourism businesses which are free of charge and is available for those who don’t have one yet. There are about 15 spots left! Get in touch with Mana quick to register (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Also please let us know if you are interested in getting a reprint of the free brochures that were produced last year. Due date for brochures is at the end of this month.

Air New Zealand / Virgin Australia

Owen is traveling to New Zealand to meet with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia wholesalers and retailers to discuss marketing activities for the next three months.

Visiting Journalist Programme

Over the last  four weeks we have had a journalist Famil every week from the New Zealand media which have included Next Magazine, Kia Ora In-flight Magazine, Herald on Sunday Newspaper and Woman’s Day Magazine.

With New Zealand being one of our primary target markets, these trips are extremely valuable in promoting a true account of holidaying in Tonga to our New Zealand neighbours. For all the journalists that have visited so far on this programme, this has been their first time to Tonga and they absolutely love it here!

Thank you to all the operators who have partnered with us, who have provided a wonderful service and have gone out of their way to be an exceptional host to our guests. Feedback have been encouraging from each of these journalists and we will let you know once their articles are out.

Check out this image (above) of Tau Island in the Kingdom of Tonga which has gotten over 112,000 likes on NatGeoTravel Instagram which is more than the population of Tonga! Photo was taken by Jonathan Irish, a National Geographic photographer who recently visited the Friendly Islands.

Latest Arrival Statistics

For the four months to end of April 2015, total visitor numbers are up 4.06% and air arrivals are up 6.61%.  Business & conference visitor numbers are down because of the influx of visitors after Cyclone Ian last year. VFR numbers are up by nearly 25%.
Finally in this weekly wrap, it is Fay’s last day Today with Tourism Tonga and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours! For further marketing enquiries please contact Digital Marketing Officer - Mana Kite (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Communications Marketing Officer – Seini Taumoepeau (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Have a great weekend!
Kindest regards,
Tourism Tonga

Tupouseini (Seini) Taumoepeau | Marketing Officer - Communications | Tourism Tonga
PO Box 37 , Nuku’alofa, Tonga | Located at Vuna Rd Visitor Information Centre
Office: +676 25334 Ext.121
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.tongaholiday.com
www.facebook.com/tonga