Eco-tourism makeover for Vaini's "Vai ko Felefonu" [1]
Monday, November 21, 2016 - 17:05. Updated on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 - 23:14.
The project is a pilot site jointly funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and facilitated by the Department of Environment in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.
Acting CEO for Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), Andrew Toimoana said the project would help to support the livelihoods of the women and youth interested in tourism activities through better utilzation of the space.
The area has a population of 2,900 and the surrounding Vaini District has a population of 13,000 people (Tonga Census 2011) which includes the villages of Longoteme, Folaha and others.
Lord Ma’afu (also Acting Minister for Environment) said he and the people of Vaini were proud of the achievement and thankful for the assistance from government ministries as well as GEF and UNDP.
“We are...looking forward to the learning gathered and capacities built through this ridge to reef management approach. This reflective learning will endow us with the knowledge on best practices that should be replicated in other sites in Tonga,” he said.
Vai ko Felefonu is expected to provide the people of Vaini with an increase of ecosystem goods and services to help reduce poverty, sustain livelihoods and contribute to climate resilience.