More than 2000 Chinese tourists on the cruise ship Costa-Atlantica were accorded a welcome ceremony when they arrived in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
His Royal Highness personally welcomed the visitors at the wharf and wished them Happy New Year in Chinese.
Local friends welcomed the Chinese tourists with passionate traditional dances and the Police Brass Band also played welcome music for the group last Friday.
His Excellency Huang Huaguang, the Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga accompanied HRH Prince Ulukalala during the tour of the ship and attended the welcome ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Tonga.
A clothes donation was also held during the ceremony.
Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva, Minister of Tourism Semisi Sika, Minister of Revenue and Customs Tevita Lavemaau and other high level officials of Tongan government also attended the ceremony.
Ambassador Huang expressed his sincere gratitude to the Royal family and relevant departments of the Government of Tonga for the thoughtful arrangements for the Chinese tourist group and warm welcome accorded to them.
He said this is the first time that Tonga received such a big group Chinese tourists.
This is of great importance to the cooperation in tourism between China and Tonga.
China is a country with a big tourism industry. Every year, over 120 million Chinese people travel abroad.
There is broad prospect to deepen cooperation in tourism between China and Tonga. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Tonga have been deepening cooperation in various fields.
The visit of this big tourist group to Tonga is of great importance to the cooperation in tourism between the two countries.
He believed that the friendly cooperation in various fields including tourism will progress further with the concerted efforts of both sides.
Prime Minister Pohiva warmly welcomed the Chinese tourists in his remarks.
He said this visit by the big tourist group from China is a milestone in the development of tourism of Tonga.
It will promote the improvement of tourism infrastructure, quality of service, sustainable development of tourism and protection of Tonga’s culture and environment. Tonga welcomes more Chinese tourists.
The government of Tonga is committed to development tourism and willing to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation with China in tourism and other fields.
The Costa Atlantica is on a 46-day cruise of the Pacific.