Tonga’s new Tourism Roadmap to attract more travellers
Tourism is key to Tonga’s economic recovery and revitalization. Tourism and government leaders are creating a five-year plan to attract more visitors while respecting Tonga’s unique environment.
Tourism generated over $7.5 million for Tonga’s economy in 2022, and that’s expected to grow to $36.5 million by 2033. But a record-shattering volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022, following so closely on the COVID-19 pandemic, put off travellers and severely damaged tourism resources and infrastructure in the country.
To set tourism back on track, industry and government leaders met on 13 and 14 March at the National Tourism Forum in Nuku’alofa, Tonga to lay out a plan for the next five years.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) supports this process by drawing on its technical expertise in facilitating the development of tourism sector strategies in various countries, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS), while fully ensuring country ownership and inclusive and participative approach.
The new Tonga Tourism Roadmap for 2025-2030 aims to revitalize the tourism sector by stimulating sustainable growth. Climate change adaptation is a key element of the roadmap, ensuring resilience and protecting Tonga's natural assets and communities from environmental challenges. E-commerce and investment are also emphasized as key drivers of tourism.
‘Tourism is a critical sector for Tonga’s economy, and the roadmap will be instrumental in guiding the Ministry and key stakeholders on how best to tap into potential of tourism to drive sustainable development,’ said Viliami ‘Alamameita Takau, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism.
The roadmap is supported within the framework of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme, funded by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and managed by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit. PACER Plus is a landmark trade and development agreement that will raise living standards, create jobs and increase exports from Pacific Island countries, while lowering barriers to trade.
‘Tourism’s potential to drive private sector led growth in Tonga is still very much untapped,’ said Siosaia Moehau, President of the Tonga Tourism Association. ‘Tonga’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters have only constrained our efforts to grow tourism. We are excited to work alongside the Ministry of Tourism and other key stakeholders, with the technical support of the International Trade Centre (ITC), to develop this Roadmap and ensure its implementation.’
The roadmap is expected to be finalised by October 2025 involving a series of consultations and workshops with partners across the public and private sectors.
