Mr. Viliami Takau, CEO of the Ministry of Tourism and Acting General Manager of Tonga Tourism Authority (TTAB), attended the South Pacific Sailing Network Conference: Reviving South Pacific Cruising held on 26th-27th April 2023 at Orams Marine Boat Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
The conference aimed to build a resilient sailing industry amidst the reopening of borders across the South Pacific, and was attended by marine authorities, individuals, organizations, and businesses involved with yachting in the region, including representatives from Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), Vanuatu Tourism, Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand, Tonga Tourism, Market Development Facility (MDF), and Customs.
Mr. Takau, along with Mr. Joe Caesar from Vava’u Boat Yard, presented on Tonga Yachting at the conference, which had around 40 participants. During his visit, Mr. Takau also took the opportunity to visit marinas in Whangarei and Bay of Islands to gain a better understanding of the yachting sector in the Pacific and its potential contribution to Tonga’s recovery and economic development.
The yachting sector, including super yachts, has the potential to become one of Tonga’s top tourism earners through boating provisions, boat maintenance, and boat storage, among other things. Yachting arrivals for the coming year are expected to exceed pre-COVID numbers.
Tonga’s participation in the conference was made possible with the support of the MDF, which will also fund its first Yachting Strategy. TTAB is also finalizing discussions with MDF on Tonga’s market branding, with potential technical assistance and support towards other tourism initiatives.
Tonga is preparing to welcome the first yacht rally since the reopening of the borders. The first wave of around 30 yachts is expected to arrive on May 18, 2023, with an estimated one hundred yacht visitors who will visit Tonga.
The rally will start in Nuku’alofa, then travel north to Ha’apai and Vava’u. Most yachts will spend almost two months in Tonga before setting sail for Fiji. Tonga Tourism will host a welcome event to mark the occasion.
Source: Government Press