Tonga's Minister of Tourism, Hon. Mo'ale Finau is stranded in Ha'apai along with at least 69 visitors who currently have no way out, after Tonga's Civil Aviation Division on Friday suspended the Lulutai Airlines domestic operations of two small aircraft, citing safety reasons. Hon. Finau told Matangi Tonga today that he does not yet know how many incoming and outgoing international visitors are affected nationwide by the suspension of flights, but confirmed 69 visitors are known to be stuck in Ha'apai.
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Results for Tourism
Monday 21 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Saturday 5 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siosi’ana Taumoepeau, a crowd favorite, has been crowned the new Miss Heilala 2025-226, near mid-night tonight, 4 July, at the Tonga High Indoor Stadium in Nuku'alofa. Her mother Anita Roberts (Miss Heilala 1997) comes from Fasi and Kotu.
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Friday 4 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fantastic island creations using traditional materials were showcased tonight, 4 July, by the Miss Heilala contestants during the Miss Heilala Pageant crowning night at the Tonga High Indoor Stadium in Nuku'alofa.
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Friday 4 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Miss Heilala Pageant 2025 contestants modeled traditional Tongan Puletaha (a formal outfit in one colour) during the final competitions tonight, 4 July, at the Tonga High Indoor Stadium in Nuku'alofa.
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Thursday 3 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The seven Miss Heilala contestants showcased captivating and entertaining talents last night, 2 July, during the first show of the three-night pageant at the Tonga High Stadium in Nuku’alofa.
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Thursday 3 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Miss Heilala contestants showcased bright and colourful sarongs in the Sarong wear competition last night, 2 July, in the first of the three-night shows, held at the Tonga High Stadium in Nuku’alofa. The top three contestants in this category will be announced on the finale night, Friday, 4 July.
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Friday 27 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
At their Orientation gathering today, seven contestants for the Miss Heilala crown 2025 drew their order of appearance and pre-pageant interview topics at the Ministry of Tourism’s HQ in Nuku’alofa, and posed for their first group photograph.
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Thursday 26 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Seven contestants have entered the Miss Heilala Pageant 2025, which opens tomorrow, 27 June, when the contestants will draw their order of appearance and pre-pageant interview topics.
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Thursday 12 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Heilala Week 2025 is set to begin on 27 June, when the contestants for the Miss Heilala Pageant will be introduced at the opening ceremony. At their orientation, the contestants will draw their order of appearance and pre-pageant interview topics.
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Wednesday 23 April 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Although tourists are attracted to Tonga by appealing activities, the culture and the natural environment, at the same time, visitors said shortfalls in public facilities and services were unappealing, according to a new Tonga International Visitor Survey released this month.
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Tuesday 25 February 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The cruise ship MS Bolette docked at Vuna Wharf in Nuku'alofa, this morning, 25 February, with over a thousand people on board. MS Bolette is the last cruise ship visit to Tonga for the month.
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Wednesday 19 February 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
MS Queen Anne Cruise Ship docked at Vuna Wharf in Nuku’alofa today, with 3,811 people on board.
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Tuesday 5 November 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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. But the least appealing for visitors is fierce dogs and the littering.
Monday 28 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Zaandam cruise ship is visiting Nuku’alofa today, with 1898 passengers and crew members on board.
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Friday 25 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Pacific Adventure cruise ship brought 2000 tourists to Nuku'alofa yesterday, docking at Vuna Wharf. The vessel's next port of call is Neiafu, Vava'u, today, where it will dock from 8:00 am untill 6:00 pm.
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Wednesday 17 July 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lulutai Airlines has leased an additional aircraft, a SAAB 340B, from Air Chathams out of New Zealand for three months to increase the number of seats on the domestic inter-island service. Tonga’s national carrier airline announced that the aircraft arrived in Tonga on 16 July and would begin operating this week, under Lulutai Airline’s Air Operating Certificate.
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Saturday 6 July 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A law graduate, Racheal Angelica 'o Manakakapu Guttenbeil (26), sponsored by AGT & Maa’imoa Catering, was crowned "Miss Heilala 2024" tonight, 5 July, at the Heilala village, in Nuku’alofa. The top three places went to contestants from the Vava'u Group of islands. Racheal will represent Tonga at the next Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, as Miss Tonga.
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Friday 5 July 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
Thursday 4 July 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Miss Heilala contestants gracefully performed traditional dances and displayed their costumes last night, 3 July, at the Heilala Village, in Nuku'alofa.
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Wednesday 3 July 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The 12 Miss Heilala Contestants presented their creative island sarong swim-wear styles, also winning points for their natural beauty, in the second judging event of the Miss Heilala Pagent competitions, last night, 2 July, held at Heilala Village in Nuku’alofa.
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