Cultural tourism training empowers creative Tongans [1]
Thursday, February 27, 2014 - 11:15. Updated on Thursday, February 27, 2014 - 11:29.
Lord Fulivai (centre) with workshop participants in Neiafu, Vava'u.
Creative Tongans are realizing that they can make a livelihood from handicrafts, after receiving training in cultural tourism awareness, says Sione Loseli who ran workshops in Vava‘u last week.
Under a Handicrafts and Cultural Tourism Support Program over 200 certificates were awarded to participants in Tongatapu and Vava'u who have completed workshops since January this year.
Sione said they had seen increasing calls for training as more people saw that creativity could provide an income, even for people who were never involved in handicrafts and cultural tourism before.
“The key is their commitment,” he said.
Monalisa Palu the National Program Coordinator said 106 certificates were awarded to workshop participants by the Governor of Vava'u Lord Fulivai. at a presentation held in Neiafu, Vava'u on February 20.
Earlier In Tongatapu on February 14, 107 certificates were awarded to participants by Lady Tuna Fielakepa. Some participants had taken part in a number of the training workshops, held in Nuku’alofa, Pea and Tatakamotonga.
The workshops in Tongatapu included Siueli FakaTonga (jewellery made of Tongan materials), Tapa Crafts, Mosikaka Weaving (innovation), Customer Service, Tourism Awareness and Developing a Cultural Tour.
“We are constantly improving our training and … this year we have introduced a follow up to the pilot of mosikaka weaving …where Lesieli Tupou teaches them how to make popular, smaller items that are easier for the tourist or buyer to carry but using that unique, intricate weave," said Mona.
Aid Program
Velonika Po’oi, a participant in the Siueli Fakatonga (jewellery) workshop in Vava’u said it was empowering to know they could earn a living and contribute to their family’s welfare after only three-days of training.
The Tonga Handicrafts and Cultural Tourism Support Program is funded by the New Zealand Aid Program in partnership with the Langafonua Handicrafts Centre with a goal of “enhanced sustainable livelihood opportunities from tourism for artisans and cultural experience providers in Tonga”.