Tonga to promote tourism after riot

Tonga's tourism operators are to kick-off a major marketing campaign to promote Tonga as again being a safe destination following last month's riot.

According to Radio New Zealand's Tuesday report, a government survey 143 businesses were damaged in the riot, and a major clean- up and rebuilding effort is underway.

The police continue to investigate the riot and have now arrested more than six hundred people and are holding over a hundred in custody.

However the visitor's bureau marketing director, Sione Moala, is confident that Tonga is now safe for holiday makers.

He says domestic and international airlines and the public transport system are all fully operational.

A Rioting crowds has trashed property in central Nuku'alofa, capital of Tonga on Nov. 16. after the government refused to approve reforms immediately.

An archipelago of more than 170 islands spread over an area of the South Pacific roughly the size of Japan, Tonga is the last Polynesian monarchy.

Source: Xinhua