25th July 2019 Tonga was proud to be represented and in attendance at the first-ever Pacific Exposition 2019, which was held in Auckland, New Zealand at the SkyCity Auckland Convention Center, from the 11th – 14th of July 2019.
The Tongan Delegation was led by the CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Sione Finau Moala-Mafi, who was also a panelist at the event.
Mr. Moala-Mafi was accompanied by Government and Private sector counterparts from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Tourism & Culture, the Ministry of Trade & Economic Development, Tonga Tourist Association, Tonga Youth Congress and other representatives of the private sector in Tonga.
Dubbed the most comprehensive expo in the Pacific, the vibrant Pacific Exposition 2019 was organised by Indonesia, supported by New Zealand and Australia and joined by 20 enthusiastic countries including Tonga, who came together to create pacific momentum through live performances, a display of fantastic cultures, locally made goods, tourism and through regional cooperation.
By participating in the Pacific Exposition 2019, Tonga hoped to not only put on a display of our wealth of culture, but to also capatalise on all the opportunities, networks, cultural exchanges, benefits and all the excitement present at the Pacific Exposition 2019.
Tonga Tourism’s CEO Mr. Sione Finau Moala-Mafi said, “As well as Tonga’s participation in the exposition booths & the pacific cultural festival, Tonga was equally pleased to par-take in the:
- Tourism Forum
- Business & Investment Forum
- And the Pacific Cultural Forum
Serving as a platform of discussion, these forums have allowed us to share our strengths and also the similar challenges that have become issues of concern for our countries today. Through this we are further encouraged to engage closely together to maximise our efforts in improving connectivity across tourism destinations, packaging & product development and joint marketing towards establishing the ‘One Pacific Destination’ concept benefitting both goods and tourism in our countries and the Pacific as a whole.”
The Pacific Exposition is a trade, investment and tourism event, designed to facilitate the South Pacific countries to promote their economic opportunities. The 4 – day event was aimed at increasing business opportunities and developing networks for business communities, governments, and tourism authorities in the region.
The Exposition also being the first step towards connecting goods and the people of the Pacific and Southeast Asia, makes Tonga proud to be making history together as one alongside its neighbouring Pacific Islands.
For more information please contact the Ministry of Tourism on 23895, or find more information, images and video footage online and on Youtube by using the keywords “LET’S RECAP Pacific Exposition 2019: Creating Pacific Momentum”.
ENDS