Tonga's 2008-09 budget encourages growth of private businesses

Tonga Chamber of Commerce President Paula Taumoepeau, Secretary Sue Gardiner, and Tonga's Minister of Finance Afu'alo Matoto TONGA'S future prosperity depends on private sector lead economic growth, and ...

[kai hoo kui]

I hope they are right cause Im getting $1.80/TOP for$1AUD.Its all good for night out at Billfish or the sportbar.This is where tourism should hit Tonga from Australia.But who gonna advertise our country??

[prisoner_tonga]

The result of tourism in Tonga shows the effort put in by the Ministry of Tourism and the Government of Tonga. And the result is that Tonga is doing terrible at its tourism industry.

The Ikale Tahi should be stongly promoted and funded by Tonga as a tourism abassador. Historical sites, beaches, accomodation, attractions, activities, etc, etc, should be looked, discussed, and worked. Do we see the Minister of Tourism moving towards something like that? May be, but very very slowly. Not to mention he non support or sponsoring the Ikale Tahi.

Ta'engali e tourism minister as some one that schooled in Hawaii, which is a major tourism location. May be he was doing something else and studying something else. Therefore, he is in the wrong industry and is unqualified for the job. I even wonder if he worked at the mormon church's Polynesian Cultural Center. He could have learned a lesson or two there about tourism. If he did, it sure does not show.

Unqualified.

[Fola He Kata]

Just a thought....What can Tonga do to attract more tourist's? I mean, Air Travel into Tonga from Foreign countries is cheaper than domestic travel.

What does Tonga have that will set it apart from FIJI, TAHITI, HAWAII, SAMOA and the numerous other "vacation" spots on the planet?

[prisoner_tonga]

Fola He Kata and everyone else,

Though this question you asked should be directed to the Minister of Tourism, I will put in my three cents.

No 1. Tongan Women. We have the finest or we are among the finest. But our women need to know that and they need to work on it.(Tuku e fa'a Kai, Personal Hygiene, etc.)

No.2. Kingdom. That speaks for itself. We are one of the few remaining ones.(But we need to make it a peaceful and a stable Kingdom, by implementing politcal reforms as soon as possible and according to the voice of the people).

No.3. Island Life. If there is something that those guys out there in the middle east, europe, and the West do not have, it is the peace and tranquility of Island Life. That being said, we need to sell that "island life idea" to our potential visitors. We will need to prove it to them once they get here. Not only will they most likely come again, but they will tell 10 other friends, and those 10 other friends will tell their 10 other friends, and on and on.

Those are just three to begin with. We have so much more in Tonga to offer. But I will end on those three, before the Minister of Tourism goes and copy my moves.(hahahahahahaha)

[ofa ki tonga]

Tonga is a very beautiful Island!! Just the people need to change there act. As a kid growing up in Tonga, I remember seeing people throwing their trash anywhere they like and for public restroom people don't care about it cause it's not their. If the people of Tonga treat the public areas like is their own, I believe tourism will pick-up.

kataki faka molemole oua e ita koe ofa pe ki Tonga.

[kai hoo kui]

Man I remember the toilet on the hospital when I was there this year.Its all wet and germs waiting to jump on someone or even carry someone out of the toilet.
I was sitting at friend cafe having breakfast when one of the NZFP officer came in and used the restroom.When I ask him about the toilet at the police station he say its dirty and the prisoner toilet are cleaner than thiers.I give Friend Cafe first price for clean Restroom,Sandyboy and Nawali run second on my list and third would be Dateline.
The worst is (1)Fakafonua Building you see floaty on it .(2)Good Samaratin Floaty also there and they dont make an efford to clean it,Lucky they got beach,Ha ha(3)Pangai Motu Island.The idea of putting sand on the flooor is bad..Someone will sue someone if sand stick to the toilet paper when wiping..
The other funny way is when the MAILER(P&O Cruise)come people start selling art&craft in US Dollar but have no US dollar change.I heard the Palangi say they sell in US dollar and its look like we the first customer..But I got to give it to one lady from Patangata she still sell on Tongan dollar..man she sold all her craft and some of the tourist where even happy to get Tongan dollar change to keep for souvenir.Thats what you called smart business.""OUR COUNTRY CAN do it but government and people can work together to get there.But yes restroom need to improve first.

[prisoner_tonga]

You should see the Olovaha's Toilet. It is pretty bad too. You walk into a pool of water to sit on the toilet. SSSSIIIIIICCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK.

Would you see the King, Nobles, or High Ranking government officials use these public restrooms?

The answer to that question is, NOOOOOO WAAAAYYYYYY.

The next question is, would they, LEADERS, listen to what you say or ask of them???? Such as asking them to improve and have a regular cleaning of all public facilities?????

The anwer to that question is, NOOOO WAAAYYYY.

And here is the best question of all. WHY would they, Leaders, not listen to our concerns, especially about the cleanliness of public restrooms???

The answer is, because they, the leaders, are not accountable to us the people. They are accountable to the King. And they would never hear the King complaining about how dirty the public restrooms are. Because, the King does not use the Public restrooms, or even just to look at them to know the level on cleanliness they are at.

So, if you want to see more clean public restrooms in Tonga, we need to think about how the voice of the people can be louder and heard in this Kingdom. Democratic reforms will certainly make our voices heard.

[kai hoo kui]

I agree with ya but maybe the minster for tourism should be lock up in the public restroom for a week..Prisoner is there any other political party emerging or form but have democratic idea??
Is the Party was fund by Tongan New Zealand started there yet?I know there was talk but I came back and havent heard more of them.Well the coronation is another spot that people can stand with sign saying "STOP CURRUPTION" or "Stop Robbing us King5"..Is there any protest on this day?you know a T-shirt can be wear with logo on it, like the sticker on the car that many people have.