Tongan culture, friendly locals, natural sites and plentiful BBQ, were listed among the “most appealing aspects” of Tonga in a survey of international visitors released by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) this week.
The international visitor data, collected from January to June 2024, came from a sample of 205 visitors surveyed in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Tonga Tourism Authority, and Tonga Statistics Department.
“During this time frame, Tonga welcomed around 26,720 international arrivals by air, with estimated visitor contributions estimated at over $40 million USD in economic impact.
“Key factors influencing their decision to visit Tonga included the culture and history, relaxing atmosphere, warm weather, friendly people, and connections with friends and family in Tonga,” said the report.
Meanwhile the comments on the least appealing aspects of Tonga, were the fierce dogs, trash on the beaches and waterfront, traffic jams, run-down buildings, loss of internet connections on ATMs and expensive accommodation not up to scratch.
“To improve the overall visitor experience, suggestions included enhancements to the accommodation, customer service training and an overhaul of the price of goods and services,” the report stated.
Over one third of the respondents in the survey were visitors from New Zealand (36%). A substantial 89 per cent of respondents indicated they would recommend Tonga to others and 90% expressed a willingness to return.
The findings were shared through the New Zealand Government funded Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI).
SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker said the PTDI was providing valuable updates on regional tourism. “Through data-driven insights, this initiative supports policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders in understanding tourism trends in Tonga and other Pacific Island nations,” he said.
The PTDI is a research project that collects and reports on tourism information in 10 Pacific nations as well as a Business Confidence Index (BCI), and a Community Attitudes Survey (CAS).
