Tonga develops a Tourism Roadmap to revitalise and regenerate tourism development
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Tourism is a pivotal industry for Tonga generating over TOP18million of GDP in 2022 and is anticipated to grow to TOP88 million by 2033. The industry, however, has been severely affected firstly by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by the volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022. The country is committed to revitalising tourism development guided by a new Tonga Tourism Roadmap for 2025-2030. Mr. Viliami Takau, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism, speaking at the National Tourism Forum in Nuku’alofa. Tonga’s Tourism Roadmap will guide the revitalisation of the country’s tourism industry and unlock its potential to stimulate sustainable growth. Climate change adaptation is a fundamental element of the Roadmap to ensure that tourism growth is both resilient and sustainable, enabling Tonga to protect its natural assets and communities in the face of environmental challenges. Special attention is also given to e-commerce and investment as key drivers to elevate tourism development in the next five years. The development of the Roadmap commences with the National Tourism Forum organised by the Ministry of Tourism in Nuku’alofa on 13-14 March 2025 with participation by national tourism public and private sector representatives as well as regional and international tourism experts. “Tourism is a critical sector for Tonga’s economy, and the Roadmap will be instrumental in guiding the Ministry as well as key stakeholders on how best we can tap into potential of tourism to drive sustainable development for Tonga. The National Tourism Forum this week will be an opportunity to hear from our partners to ensure that the Roadmap is inclusive of all stakeholder priorities and reflects a coordinated strategy for growing the tourism sector in the next five years.” Viliami Takau, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism Siosaia Moehau, President of the Tonga Tourism Association, also commented on the significance of the Roadmap. Her Royal Highness Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita, Patron of the Tonga Tourist Association, delivers the keynote address at the National Tourism Forum in Nuku’alofa. “Tourism’s potential to drive private sector led growth in Tonga is still very much untapped. 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 ITC, to develop this Roadmap and ensure its implementation.” Siosaia Moehau, President of the Tonga Tourism Association The Roadmap is an initiative of the Government of Tonga, 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. It is developed with the technical support of the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, fully dedicated to enhancing trade competitiveness and the economic transformation of MSMEs in developing countries. The National Tourism Forum is scheduled for 13-14 March 2025 at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa. ITC’s partnership with PACER Plus and Tonga is integral part of its support to Pacific countries in diversifying their economies, strengthening MSMEs, boosting international competitiveness, promoting digitalisation and enhancing climate resilience. Sylvie Bétemps Cochin, Chief of the Office for Asia and the Pacific of ITC, praised the collaboration. “We are thrilled about this project and the significant value it brings to Tonga’s tourism industry and local communities. We are also proud to partner with PACER Plus to make this initiative a success,” said Ms. Bétemps Cochin. The Roadmap is expected to be finalised by October 2025, through participatory and unified approach, involving a series of consultations and workshops with partners across the public and private sectors. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Strengthening Digital Trade Capabilities at Regional Workshop
SUVA, Fiji – The inaugural Pacific Regional Digital Trade Workshop kicked off today in Suva, Fiji, bringing together public and private sector stakeholders from Fiji and Pacific PACER Plus countries. Workshops such as this demonstrates the continued commitment of the Australian Government and the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) to support and strengthen the skills and capacity of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) on trade in services, digital trade and e-commerce. The two-day workshop brings together government officials from the eight Pacific PACER Plus countries such as Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as well as Fiji. With 60 percent of all exports in the region linked to the services sector, services play a key role in the Pacific’s economic growth and development. The two-day workshop aims to support PICs to engage effectively in the fast-evolving digital trade space, understand digital trade and e-commerce provisions, and support countries’ capacity to negotiate and implement these provisions in trade agreements. In the margins of the workshop, a two-day proposal clinic will be delivered to help PACER Plus countries develop bankable project proposals that align with regional and international trade commitments and boost trade in services, e-commerce, and investment in the region. Mr. Shaheen Ali (left), Permanent Secretary to Fiji’s Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications and Mr. Andrew Shepherd, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji at the .Pacific Regional Digital Trade Workshop. Mr. Shaheen Ali, Permanent Secretary to Fiji’s Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, opened the workshop, stating: “Workshops and training programmes like these are invaluable in building our capacities and equipping us with the tools needed to better understand the highly technical provisions related to digital trade. As we deepen our knowledge and expertise, we position ourselves to negotiate future agreements with provisions that not only support and facilitate digital trade but also align with our regional interests,” said Mr. Ali. Mr. Andrew Shepherd, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji, also spoke to the importance of the initiative, saying: “The workshop will continue our trajectory of building a community of practice and peer to peer learning in the Pacific. Also, with the relevant information and a community of practitioners at our fingertips, the world of e-commerce and digital trade is smaller than we think.” -ENDS- More articles like this one
PACER Plus: Enhancing Trade Facilitation in the Region
ALOFI, Niue – The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus continues to advance its objective of facilitating trade and investment among its 10 member countries. A critical component of this effort is the integration of customs and postal operation systems, a goal furthered by the recent feasibility study on the interface between the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ASYCUDA World Systems for Customs and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Customs Declaration System (CDS) for postal operation in Niue. Currently, the lack of integration between customs and postal systems causes delays and inefficiencies in the processing and clearance of international shipments. These challenges hinder the speed and cost-effectiveness of doing business online, affecting both businesses and consumers in the PACER Plus countries. Niue’s Minister for Finance and Infrastructure, Hon. Crossley Tatui (front row, fifth from right) with the Australian High Commissioner to Niue, H.E. Katy Stuart (front row, fourth from right), the New Zealand High Commissioner to Niue, H.E. Mark Gibb (front row, sixth from right), and Niue’s public and private stakeholders. The UPU CDS is a software application designed to enable the exchange of messages between customs and designated operators, allowing customs formalities to be completed before the arrival of postal items. By facilitating electronic data exchange between customs and postal authorities, the interface significantly streamlines the customs clearance process for e-commerce shipments. This advancement reduces the time and cost of doing business online for both businesses and consumers within PACER Plus member countries thus restoring confidence in the use of postal services for sending and receiving goods, especially e-commerce items. The UNCTAD ASYCUDA World system, widely used for customs management, and the UPU CDS, a standard for postal operations, are anticipated to yield significant benefits when integrated. These benefits include enhanced efficiency, transparency, and speed of cross-border trade in the region. Hon. Crossley Tatui, Niue’s Minister for Finance and Infrastructure, expressed his support for the initiative: “The successful integration of customs and postal systems through the PACER Plus agreement marks a significant step forward in facilitating trade and investment in our region. This initiative not only streamlines processes but also enhances transparency and efficiency, ultimately benefiting our businesses and consumers. We are excited to see the positive impact this will have on Niue.” Mr. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, highlighted the pioneering nature of this initiative: “The rollout of this interface across the Pacific will make our region the first in the world to adopt such a harmonised system. This achievement is testament to the commitment of PACER Plus to leveraging technology to drive economic growth and improve trade facilitation for all PACER Plus members.” -ENDS- More articles like this one
Trade Information Portal Streamlines Pacific Trade Processes
APIA, Samoa – The PACER Plus Regional Workshop on Trade Information Portals (TIPs) commenced on Tuesday 4 June in Apia, Samoa. This workshop aims to enhance the accessibility of trade-related information for PACER Plus countries to increase their regulatory transparency in trade and investment-related capacity to reach the standards set out in PACER Plus. A TIP is a one-stop website where countries can access information on trade import and export procedures, laws, and regulations, for engaging in international trade. This platform makes complex trade procedures understandable by displaying them step-by-step from start to finish, from a trader’s point of view. Government officials from PACER Plus parties – Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and UNCTAD – were present at the Regional Workshop on Trade Information Portals in Apia, Samoa. The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus is a unique trade agreement designed to raise living standards, create jobs, and boost exports from Pacific Island countries. By lowering trade barriers, PACER Plus provides greater certainty for businesses operating in the Pacific region. Julian Fraga-Campos, Economic Affairs Officer at the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), is leading the training sessions. “The establishment of Trade Information Portals is crucial for increasing transparency, enhancing predictability and facilitating smoother trade processes within the PACER Plus framework,” said Mr. Fraga-Campos. Alipate Tavo (left), PACER Plus Implementation Unit’s Trade and Investment Adviser, speaks at the closing of the Regional Workshop on Trade Information Portals with Julian Fraga-Campos, Economic Affairs Officer at the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Government officials from PACER Plus parties – Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu – were present at the workshop. The workshop focuses on the creation of capacity among government officials for the implementation, management and sustainability of TIPs, as well as in providing training on notifications send through Contact Points and awareness of its obligations to ensure that all PACER Plus countries are informed and able to comply with the agreement’s standards. Alipate Tavo, PACER Plus Implementation Unit’s (PPIU) Trade and Investment Adviser, emphasised the importance of cooperation among PACER Plus countries. “As part of the PACER Plus agreement, countries have an obligation to share trade information and policy amendments with other PACER Plus parties. This ensures a cohesive and transparent trading environment that benefits everyone involved.” Keity Tuiloma from Samoa’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labour (left) with Verleena Nooapii from the Cook Islands at the Regional Workshop on Trade Information Portals in Apia, Samoa. Mrs. Angoango Fakaua from Kiribati’s Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives highlighted the impact of the workshop on her country’s trade practices. “This training is important for Kiribati as it equips us with the tools needed to streamline our trade processes and align with regional standards. It is an important step towards improving our trade infrastructure.” Ms. Ann Warsal from Vanuatu’s Department of Customs and Inland Revenue shared similar sentiments. “The Trade Information Portal has simplified the complexities of international trade regulations for Vanuatu, making it easier for our businesses to navigate and comply with trade requirements.” Ms. Keity Tuiloma from Samoa’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labour added, “Having a centralised source of trade information not only promotes efficiency but also enhances our ability to engage in international trade more effectively. This workshop is an important opportunity for us to learn and implement best practices.” The four-day training concludes on Friday 7 June. -END- More articles like this one