Results for Tonga tourism

For years the whale watch industry in Vavau has fought to have better practices and less licenses due to an over-saturation of licenses, badly behaved skippers and, in recent years, clients who believe they can do whatever they want in the water with the whales. Why is there no list of operators, their boats, skippers and guides and passenger numbers? I and others in the industry ask: Why are more licenses being issued and to boats that are not suitable for the purpose of whale watching?  - Kirsty Bowe.

The 12 Miss Heilala contestants shone at the Heiala Ball on 6 July at the conclusion of the contest at the Sir Sofele Hall in ‘Apifo’ou, Ma’ufanga. 

The Miss Heilala Contestants modestly displayed their natural beauty and physique during third judging event, modelling Sarong swim-wear, held on 4 July, at Sir Sofele Kakala Hall, Ma’ufanga.

Miss Heilala Pageant 2023 opens on Monday 26 June, during with the Heilala Festival in Nuku’alofa Tonga. Nine contestants so far, have been introduced to the public.

Tonga will be among 155 countries and regions confirmed to participate at the 2025 Osaka World Expo.

The Zuiderdam cruise ship arrived Nuku'alofa for an overnight visit on 27 October bringing over 2000 passengers and crew.

Statistics show a major decrease in international visitors to Tonga between January to March, in comparison to 2019, as CoViD-19 started to spread worldwide and in the months before Tonga closed its border.

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

Real Tonga is expanding its international services, which will include flights between Tonga and Fiji to be launched on Monday 29 July.