Certified guides take tourists to swim with whales [1]
Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 20:03. Updated on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - 16:56.
Thirty-six participants have successfully passed a “Whale Watching and Swimming Guides Training” course and are now certified to work as whale watching and swimming guides in Tonga.
The Tonga Business Enterprise Centre provided the training course in Vava’u, Tongatapu and Ha’apai. The programme was developed by the Southern Cross University (Australia), University of the South Pacific, the Tonga Whale Watching Operators Association (TWWOA) and the Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Labour.
TBEC stated that whale watching and swimming had become a leading industry in Tonga. “Tonga is the first country in the world to have a legislation, where a framework allows professionals to take tourists into the water with whales as a service.”
The list of the new Whale Watching and Swimming Guides are :
- Tevita Kalemani
- Andrew Jones
- Isitolo Tangitau
- Diane Clarke
- Mikaele Havili
- Aunofo Havea
- Ana Pisila Fifita
- Henele Hungalu
- Vilivolaki Takau
- Caroline Hudson
- Kirsty Bowe
- Leonati Motuliki
- Barry Beer
- Tu’italau Kaufasi
- Siope Kaitu’u
- Seilaini Jonty Fetulimoeata
- Max Page
- Jeremy Buster
- Tim Day
- Vila Day
- Jeff Laurie
- Fetu’akoi Pahulu
- Sione Mafi Lotaki
- Shelley Shane
- Mathew Scott Haling
- Jodi Hawley
- Brian Heagney
- Jody Adamson
- Salesi Fusitu’a
- Ngu Moalalahi
- Iker Charterina
- Stefanie Mutze
- Gary Stuart Neal
- Salahema Fuapau
- Talaiasi Vailahi
- Tomasi Kaifoto.