Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano formally launched a new tourism brand for Tonga today at Auckland’s waterfront Rugby World Cup venue, the Cloud.

In front of media, travel wholesalers, airlines and representatives from Tonga’s government and the Auckland Tongan community, Lord Tu’ivakano introduced a range of new initiatives aimed at boosting tourism in the Kingdom. As well as the new brand, a new online advertising campaign was profiled along with a brand new website www.TheKingdomofTonga.com.

The integrated programme of new tourism initiatives will build the profile of Tonga, and get across messages about how close Tonga is to New Zealand, the short flight time, and the wide range of activities on offer to visitors. The brand focuses not only on visitor experiences but also on Tonga’s unique culture, and Tonga’s status as the South Pacific’s only remaining Polynesian Kingdom.

Tonga Visitors Bureau CEO Sakopo Lolohea said ‘Recent market research findings show us that even though we are the closest Pacific destination to New Zealand and so easy to get to, many Kiwis just don’t know enough about Tonga. The new brand and campaign points out the different kind of visitor experience Tonga offers compared to other Pacific destinations, hence our tagline, The True South Pacific’, he said.

Ends.

For information contact: Paul Davis paul.davis.tbu@gmail.com – +64 22 060 7571