Tonga’s Minister of Tourism the Hon Dr Viliami Uasike Latu today advised that a number of structural and organizational changes are underway in Tonga’s tourism sector.

Minister Latu advised that all the changes are designed to lay an improved future foundation for the growth of tourism in the Kingdom.

‘Firstly, we have a review of the Tourist Act and the structure and role of the Ministry of Tourism / Tonga Visitors Bureau underway. A draft report with recommendations for the future is due by the end of February.

Next there is a proposal as part of Government’s wider reform process to merge the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries. These two processes are running simultaneously.

A new role, as head of the Ministry of Labour and Tourism has been advertised and in the meantime, the contract term for the CEO of the Ministry of Tourism and Tonga Visitors Bureau has not been renewed, pending an appointment to this new position.

The current Director Sakopo Lolohea completed his term on 25 January, and an announcement on the new role, Chief Executive of Commerce and Tourism, will be made in due course.