Results for tourism

The twelve Miss Heilala contestants showcased their singing and dancing skills in last night’s talent quest, ranging from hulas to contemporary dances at the Heilala Village in Nuku’alofa on 4 July 2024.

Malia Lolini Sime won the Heilala 2024 Best Chef competition, with her seafood dish a Fish Curry along with a twist on the classic Tongan dessert, a Faikakai Lesi (Pawpaw) on the second day of the Heilala Festival, 25 June in Nuku'alofa.

Twelve contestants aged between 18 and 26 years are vying for the Miss Heilala crown this year. Registrations closed last week and the official photos of the contestants were released, ahead of their first public appearance on 26 June at the Heilala Village in Nuku’alofa.

Tourists were spotted cycling around the CBD and coastal shorelines of Nuku’alofa on rented bicycles, after the Europa 2, the second cruise ship to Tongatapu for this year, docked at Vuna Wharf.

Tongan creative artist and handicraft maker, Lu'isa Nau, is determined to utilize locally sourced materials, to maintain the authenticity of Tongan craftsmanship, while expressing dismay over the imported counterfeits that local artisans have to compete within the marketplace. Her home-based creative operation in Nuku'alofa was recently awarded at GGGI Grant for her business plan that aligns with sustainable development goals.

With the return of the Heilala Festival, among other celebrations especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors and Tongans from abroad have flocked to the country.

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

The Heilala Festival 2023 including the popular Miss Heilala Pageant returns in Nuku'alofa from 26 June to 7 July, after a three-years hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With 2023 the year of revival, the local tourism industry that was hit hard with the closure of Tonga's international borders in 2020 has 18 cruise ships listed to visit.