Inaugural Forum Opens in Vava’u, Tonga to Champion Youth Leadership across the Region

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) officially launched the inaugural Pacific Youth Forum on Sustainable Tourism (PYFST) today in Vava’u, Tonga, with a powerful opening address by SPTO Chair Lady Adela Issachar Aru. The Forum marks a historic...

3rd Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit Opens in Vava’u, Tonga

The 3rd Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit officially opened today at Puataukanave Hotel, Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, under the theme Midway to 2030: Realigning, Reaffirming and Recommitting to Sustainable Tourism. The Summit marks a...

SPTO Board of Directors Convenes in Vava’u, Tonga

Key Resolutions Passed to Advance Regional Tourism Governance and Strategic Planning The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Board of Directors convened its annual meeting on Monday, 20 October 2025, at Puataukanave Hotel, Vava’u, Tonga....

Tonga’s Tourism Sector Takes First Steps toward Phasing out Single-Use Plastics and Strengthening Agritourism

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through the Government of Australia-funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), joined forces to support the Pacific tourism...

Tongan torpedo Taumalolo ready for deployment in the red sea

A fresh and fit Jason Taumalolo will be out to make the most of his ‘luck’ to gain Tonga selection when he sets the tone against Samoa in front of what’s expected to be a record crowd for the Pacific rivalry on Sunday. The 32-year-old managed only...

Tonga advances sustainable mining practices and environmental governance

The Kingdom of Tonga has taken a significant step forward in strengthening its environmental governance framework following the successful completion of a comprehensive five-day workshop on terrestrial aggregate mining guidelines and Environmental...

Pacific Tourism Organisation Builds Local Capacity on Digital Marketing and Research in Vavaʻu, Tonga

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has concluded a series of focused capacity-building workshops in Vavaʻu, Tonga, designed to strengthen digital marketing, branding, and research skills among local tourism stakeholders. The training supports...

Pacific Community (SPC) governing meetings hosted by Kingdom of Tonga appointed new Director-General to lead the organisation

The Pacific Community (SPC) and the Kingdom of Tonga were pleased to welcome government officials, regional leaders, and international partners to Nuku’alofa for the 55th meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and...

ATTA Joins Pacific Leaders at the 2025 Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit in Vava’u, Tonga

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) was honored to participate in the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit, hosted by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) in Vava’u, Tonga. The event brought together representatives...

PACER Plus partners with SPTO to promote sustainable tourism in the region

VAVA’U, Tonga – The PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) provided funding support and took part in the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) meetings held in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, from 20 to 22 October 2025. The three-day gathering included the...

Second undersea cable manufacturing now complete

Tonga has reached a major milestone in its digital infrastructure upgrade. The manufacturing phase of Tonga’s second international undersea telecommunications cable, a 383-kilometre branch of the Hawaiki Cable system, is now complete and the cable...

Reviving black tapa — traditionally reserved for Tongan royalty

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In 1953, Queen Salote Tupou III of Tonga attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London, famously riding through the rain in an open carriage. This act, as many recall, “won the affection of the British...

Wests Tigers duo surprise inclusions in Samoa squad for Tonga grudge match

Toa Samoa have named Wests Tigers pair Ativalu Lisati and Lyhkan King-Togia in their squad for Sunday’s high-stakes Pacific Championships clash with Tonga XIII at Suncorp Stadium. Both players have been surprise inclusions, with Lisati set to make...

Rugby league: Toa Samoa vows to bounce back against Tonga after Kiwis defeat

Casey McLean of the Kiwis scores his second try during New Zealand Kiwis v Toa Samoa, round 1 of the Pacific Championships at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand on Sunday 19 October 2025. Photo: Fiona Goodall / Photosport Photo:...

Tonga chairs key IMF–World Bank talks in Washington

Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke led Tonga’s agenda at the 56th WBG–IMF Governors meeting. During the third day of the 2025 World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., Tonga’s Prime Minister chaired the Southeast Asia Constituency...

Tonga’s new landing craft VOEA Late enters service

The Tonga Royal Navy has commissioned the newest landing craft VOEA Late in a ceremony held at the Masefield Naval Base. Credit: Australian High Commission; Kingdom of Tonga via Facebook The commissioning of VOEA Late is the latest demonstration...

Youth Voices at the Heart of Tourism’s Future

VAVA’U, TONGA — The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) officially opened the inaugural Pacific Youth Forum on Sustainable Tourism this morning, with a powerful address by Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker. Held at Puataukanave Hotel in...

Pacific Youth Forum Concludes with Unified Commitment to Sustainable Tourism

Youth Leaders Launch Action Plan for 2025–2030 The inaugural Pacific Youth Forum on Sustainable Tourism (PYFST) concluded this week in Vava’u, Tonga, marking a significant milestone in youth engagement across the region’s tourism sector. Convened...

New Patriots: Get to know Patriots free-agent standout Khyris Tonga

FOXBORO — The Patriots went on a free-agent splurge this offseason, but the signing of defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga went under the radar. The Patriots signed Tonga, 29, on the first day of the NFL’s open tampering period, and he didn’t quite...

EU to fund green energy projects in the Pacific

A EUROPEAN Union-funded 15million euro ($F39.56m) regional electrification agreement with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) will advance inclusive, sustainable, and resilient socioeconomic development in Pacific Island countries, said EU...