First ‘Eva Mai Tonga Tourism Exchange Successful

Mar 6th, 2010 by Tonga Visitors Bureau | 0

45 agents, wholesalers and community leaders from USA, Australia and New Zealand had a great time in the Kingdom of Tonga during the first ‘Eva Mai Tonga Tourism Exchange (ETTE), which was held in Tongatapu on 1 – 6 March, 2010. ‘Eva Mai a tourism promotion event, which showcased what the Tongan tourism industry has to offer to international travelers of all types and ages. The Australian contingent included delegates from Qantas Holidays, Dive Adventure, Tal Pacific, Travel 2, Travel Scene, Discovery Tours, Corporate Travel Headquarters, Worldwide Travel, WorldWide Flight Centre, iTravel, Chkyu, Teta Tours Australia, Lavenga-oTonga Travel and Kalia Travel. Delegates from House of Travel in New Zealand were present, as were US delegates from Air Pacific, Hibiscus Travel, Pacific Holidays, First World Travel and travel photojournalist Jered Barclay.

Sam from Deep Blue Diving and Tim and Vila from Fatai Kayaks with agents after a kava and whale calling ceremony and an offshore island tour of Pangaimotu and Fafa Islands.

‘Eva Mai is the Tongan casual way of saying you are welcome to come on over for a visit, a meal, a coffee, a chat or to simply talk business. Last week, the international delegates got to do all of these things and more. The Kingdom of Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele, launched the ‘Eva Mai Tonga Tourism Exchange on Tuesday March, 2010. The Prime Minister expressed his sincere gratitude to those in Tonga’s tourism industry that initiated the event, and stated he was optimist of some “tangible outcome” following ‘Eva Mai. The launch of the Exchange was also attended by cabinet ministers, the ambassador of China, the Acting Ambassador of Japan, staff from the Ministry of Tourism, representatives of the Tonga Tourist Association, representatives of Tourism Tonga and at least 50 tourism facilities operators from Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas.

After the launch, the agents had the chance to meet, network and dine with at least 50 tourism operators on the Business Day.

The six day Exchange itinerary also included a welcome ceremony, traditional buffet dinners and cultural shows and land and sea tours of Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua. The agents were escorted on the tours by the prominent members of the tourism industry to ensure they experienced the best of what the Kingdom of Tonga offers. The itinerary for ‘Eva Mai can be viewed here.

Already, some positive things have come from ‘Eva Mai including 580 tourist bookings (benefiting Pacific Blue in Sydney and Air Pacific in the US) for the Heilala Festival from 10 – 24 July, 2010. ‘Eva Mai sealed the deal for 120 Australian Rugby Youths to visit the Kingdom in October for a tournament.

The agents will submit formal written feedback shortly, but have already indicated during the verbal feedback session at Fresh Café at Faua Wharf on Friday that they are more confident in selling the Kingdom of Tonga as a desirable tourist destination. “It is a good feeling to finally talk face to face with tourist agents in our homeland” said Sitafooti ‘Aho, the First Vice President of the TTA. Ms Kilisitina Gibbs, President of TTA Australia, exclaimed “Tonga has all these beautiful tourist sites and water activities”. Ms Gibbs noted she was “overwhelmed from the beginning of the ‘Eva Mai up to the final night”. She also noted that “The President of the Tonga Tourist Association and Minister of Tourism had put up a great show & program and all agents participated left with a warmth heart and feeling about Tonga and its people”, says Ms Gibbs.

The Tonga Tourist Association and the Ministry of Tourism’s representative in Australia, Reverend Sione Pinomi, started dialogues with Pacific Blue to increase its direct flights from Sydney to Tonga from 2 to 3 times a week before the end of this year. Saia Moehau, the President of the Tonga Tourist Association highlighted that they are awaiting confirmations from 30 to 50 tourist agents in China for a tourism education Exchange and that they are launching a VIP Club Card, which will offer special discounts from airlines and local tourist operators in Tonga. On top of those initiatives, Mrs. Siu ‘Alone, the Event Coordinator and Assistant Treasurer of TTA Australia, highlighted “we are working right on registering as a Tourist Wholesaler in Australia and will branch out as franchises only to promote and sell Tonga as a prime tourist destination”.

HRH Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita, together with over 300 agents and invited guests, joined the closing ceremony at ‘Oholei Beach Resort. HRH told the agents that being at ‘Eva Mai gave them first-hand experience of Tonga tourism products, which previously they would have only known about via brochures, videos, websites and overseas tradeshows. HRH said that ‘Eva Mai will not only reinforce images in marketing materials but also help them better know the sites, food, scenery and the local people who provide these services.

Semisi Sika, Director of the Heilala Festival, noted Tonga’s tourist receipts in 2008 reached over $43 Million Pa’anga whilst Agriculture and Fisheries both added up to only $36 Million. He then exclaimed that this is a true indication of why tourism in Tonga is very important and that we must “set our priorities right for the sake of our children’s future”. President of the Tonga Tourist Association, Mr Saia Moehau, noted that ‘Eva Mai allowed all the major players in the tourism industry to get together under one roof and exclaimed “it is a wonderful feeling to work together” for the benefit of Tonga. Obviously, a lot of work is to be done to get the private sector closer together so that their support and voice is complimentary to work done by the government to develop the tourism community in Tonga.

‘Eva Mai is an initiative from the Tonga Tourist Association (a private sector umbrella organisation). ‘Eva Mai 2010 was supported by the Tonga Visitors Bureau (Ministry of Tourism), Members of the Tongan tourism community, local businesses and the airlines (namely Air Pacific, Chatham Airlines and Pacific Blue). The Tonga Visitors Bureau (Ministry of Tourism) and the Tonga Tourist Association would like to thank all the sponsors and participants of the 2010 ‘Eva Mai Tonga Tourism Exchange.

The 2011 ‘Eva Mai Tonga Tourism Exchange will be held on 1 – 5 March. The Tonga Visitors Bureau (Ministry of Tourism) and the Tonga Tourist Association are already working to invite all Airlines and at least 150 agents from USA, Australia and New Zealand for 2011 ‘Eva Mai event.

‘Eva Mai Event Photos

All photos in this post (and on this site) are copyright of TongaHoliday.com (Tonga Visitors Bureau and the Ministry of Tourism) and cannot be reproduced by third parties without explicit written permission of the Ministry.

Whale Calling Ceremony With Deep Blue Diving

Kava Ceremony with Sam from Deep Blue Diving

From left: Chinese Ambassador HE Mr Fan Guijin, Economic Advisor to the PM Rob Solomon, Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele, Deputy Japanese Ambassador, Papiloa Foliaki

From left: Willow Chang from Pacific Holidays (in the US), Deputy Japanese Ambassador, Chinese Ambassador HE Mr Fan Guijin, Minister of Tourism Hon Fineasi Funaki, Jerry Chang from Pacific Holidays (in the US)