Transcript
FEKITA 'UTOIKAMANU: There's some areas that we are looking at changing some legislation to facilitate easier access of tourists in some areas. What we do realise is that we are not really looking at mass tourism in Tonga so we are just looking at strengenthing certain niche markets and then looking at developing new niche markets, rather than mass tourism as such.
KORO VAKA'UTA: Whenever you talk about tourism, accoomdation is always a big issue as well, how is that coming along in Tonga? Because I understand in the past there has been a shortage of high quality resort accomodation.
FU: Recently we have just had the opening of the Tanoa hotel chain and then we have got the Scenic Hotel so there's plenty of rooms available. I think more of our issue right now is to increase our occupancy rate which is below 50 percent at the moment.
KV: You mention niche markets, what kind of areas are you looking at?
FU: Whale-watching is an important, growing one for Tonga. Then we are also looking at in the area of meetings and conferences, which is MICE [Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events] tourism. Then we are also looking at destination weddings and some other water sports activities, including diving.
KV: Is it tempting to look at some of the proposals that have come out more recently, the high profile one involving an airport hotel, shopping mall, villas and gaming resort? Are those sorts of things something Tonga could look into?
FU: The issue with the gaming resort has been that it has been illegal right now so there is an issue moving into that area. We would need to change the legislation before we can go into those types of areas.
KV: Sure. I guess you're looking at going into niche markets, that's not an area where you are targeting at the moment, looking at visitors that can use a casino rather than residents?
FU: Well government has made a firm decision about gaming resorts, unless they change their policy on it but right now we are not focussing on it.
KV: From our conversation, it seems like the industry is in good shape?
FU: I think the industry has been rather stagnant so it's an attempt also to work closer with the tourism industry to see how we can work together.
Ministry of Tourism CEO Fekita 'Utoikamanu.
