The ‘One Pacific Destination’ concept is becoming accepted after Pacific countries, including Tonga, attended the first-ever Pacific Exposition 2019, held in Auckland, New Zealand on 11-14 July.

The Pacific Exposition is a trade, investment and tourism event, designed to facilitate the South Pacific countries to promote their economic opportunities.

The ‘One Pacific Destination’ concept was discussed at forums attended by Tonga’s CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, Sione Finau Moala-Mafi, who led Tonga’s delegation at the expo.

Sione said today, in a statement, that aside from being involved in the exposition booths and Pacific cultural festival, Tonga was equally pleased to take part in the Tourism Forum, Business & Investment Forum, and the Pacific Cultural Forum.

“Serving as a platform of discussion, these forums have allowed us to share our strengths and also the similar challenges that have become issues of concern for our countries today,” he said.

“Through this we are further encouraged to engage closely together to maximise our efforts in improving connectivity across tourism destinations, packaging and product development and joint marketing towards establishing the ‘One Pacific Destination’ concept benefitting both goods and tourism in our countries and the Pacific as a whole.”

The four-day event was aimed at increasing business opportunities and developing networks for business communities, governments, and tourism authorities in the region.

It was organized by Indonesia, supported by New Zealand and Australia, and joined by 20 countries. There were with live performances, displays of fantastic cultures, locally made goods, tourism and regional cooperation.

Tonga’s delegation included government and the private sector counterparts from the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, the Ministry of Trade & Economic Development, Tonga Tourist Association, Tonga Youth Congress and other representatives of the private sector in Tonga.

The exposition is seen as the first step towards connecting goods and the people of the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

The idea of the ‘One Pacific Destination’ concept has been around for a few years.