Results for Travel

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.

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.

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.

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.

Miss Heilala contestants gracefully performed traditional dances and displayed their costumes last night, 3 July, at the Heilala Village, in Nuku'alofa.

The Miss Heilala contestants brought festivities into the Nuku’alofa CBD today, after the solemn rituals of the Royal Taumafa Kava ceremony were held at Pangai Lahi, earlier in the morning. A crowd of supporters gathered and cheered for the Heilala girls leading the Heilala Festival parade from St. Andrews High School to central Nuku'alofa.

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.

The Island Cruising & Down Under Rally began the much-anticipated Pacific Rally 2024, on Friday, 10 May. Over 100 boats registered from across the Pacific to take part in the annual sailing event. some of them are headed to Tonga.