Tanoa International Dateline Hotel

“Our role in government is to create appropriate supporting domestic policy environment to facilitate economic growth. As a matter of fact we need a strong and solid foundation on which to build our economy,” he said.

“The Dateline Hotel was in a poor condition, at the time it needed an upgrade…we do negotiations with foreign investors, successful negotiation conducted by the Ministry of Lands and National Planning with Tano’a Hotel Groups with an agreement in March 2015.”

The landmark hotel is being managed by the Tanoa Hotels Group which operates hotels in Fiji, New Zealand and Samoa.

Queen Nanasipau’u, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and Crown Princess Sinaitalaka, HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita and Lord Tuita and members of Tonga’s Royal Family graced the official opening ceremony yesterday.

Other invited guests included Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva, cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic Corps as well as members of a visiting New Zealand business mission to Tonga.

Walker, an Australian-born New Zealand recording artist, actor and TV personality was the winner of seventh and last season of Australian Idol in 2009.

His performance at the grand opening of the newly renovated hotel in Nuku’alofa is booked for Friday, February 17 and is by invitation only.

The hotel which was previously solely owned by the government of Tonga was taken over by Fiji-based Tanoa Group of Hotels last year.

The hotel’s General Manager in Nuku’alofa, Peter Kurds had earlier said the renovation cost up to TOP$18 million.

According to the General Manager in Nuku’alofa – Peter Kurds, the renovation costs up to TOP$18 million.

Radio Tonga reports the hotel has 124 rooms, a restaurant and bar.