Articles
A Model for Sustainable Tourism in the Kingdom of Tonga
by Sharon and Doug Spence, Directors, FIKCO
Tok Blong Pacifik Magazine, March 2002
Ecological and cultural tourism is the fastest growing sector of international tourism, with an increasing number of travelers seeking destinations that are safe and off the beaten track and which provide opportunities for adventure activities. With its pristine natural environment, beautiful reefs and beaches, migratory humpback whales, warm tropical climate, friendly locals, cultural traditions, political stability, and relatively low number of tourists (just 30-35,000 per year), the Kingdom of Tonga is an attractive destination for such travelers. We believe that our tourism venture, the Friendly Islands Kayak Company, is helping to meet this demand while being sensitive to both the natural environment and cultural traditions of Tonga.
Based in the scenic Vava'u island group, FIKCO has specialized in guided sea kayak expeditions since 1991. With its newly developed Adventure Centre, FIKCO also offers guided mountain biking, whale watching, snorkelling, and nature/cultural tours, plus free public access to resources on Tonga's history, geography, flora, fauna, marine ecosystem, and culture. The Adventure Centre promotes community education, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of FIKCO's naturalist guides who have presented on such topics as environmental conservation, ethical whale watching, marketing of tourism products, eco-tourism, and employment standards for guides.
Tourism that is sensitive to local ecology and culture has tremendous socio-economic value for a small developing nation such as Tonga. At the local level, FIKCO has created employment opportunities, provided for the transfer of diverse skills, and promoted community education. FIKCO continues to provide opportunities for training of local people in such areas as adventure tourism, sea kayaking, outdoor leadership, interpretation, environmental conservation, first aid, safe boat handling, marine navigation, office work and accounting. The Tongan partners of the company recently completed a six-month course in office administration, computerized accounting, and small business management in New Zealand, funded by the Pacific Islands Investment Development Scheme. The New Zealand and Tongan partners of FIKCO are equally active in the daily operations and management of the business.
The economic benefits from tourism operations such as FIKCO spread throughout the wider community. Handicraft cooperatives, local carvers, villages which provide tourist feasts, transport operators, accommodation owners, suppliers of market garden produce, and retailers all benefit from FIKCO's activities. In addition, the benefits from these activities have direct impacts on local women and their families.
Women produce the majority of the handicrafts purchased by FIKCO guests and they have developed a system whereby different families in a village take turns hosting a feast and supporting one another in the feast preparations. Also, FIKCO makes a conscious effort to employ equal numbers of local men and women. This is not necessarily easy since Tongan women are often discouraged from working by their fathers or husbands, especially if their work takes them away from family responsibilities. Consequently, guiding positions at FIKCO are filled by men while women are hired for the daytime office, reception, and cleaning positions.
At the national level, the socio-economic benefits for Tonga from ecotourism and cultural tourism include the generation of foreign exchange and, ultimately, the improvement of living standards. FIKCO, in particular, actively promotes Tonga as a tourist destination through its marketing literature and at international trade shows. In recognition of the benefits of eco/cultural tourism for the Kingdom, the Government of Tonga has received funding from Australia and New Zealand for the development and promotion of nature-based tourism.
To be sure, even nature-based tourism can pose threats to the delicate ecological balance that exists throughout the Pacific. In an effort to protect Tonga's natural and cultural resources, Friendly Islands Kayak Company has developed Minimum Impact Guidelines that are disseminated to their guides and guests. These guidelines were established with not only international standards and practices in mind, but also following careful consideration of Tonga's unique socio-cultural and environmental features. Effective implementation of minimum impact guidelines in developing countries like Tonga, however, faces inherent challenges.
While a local guide might understand the guidelines, they may not necessarily internalize them. For example, FIKCO's local guides are trained to brief their guests on the importance of preserving the coral reefs and yet they may still occasionally touch and stand on the reefs themselves. Thus, close monitoring of the guides' practices in the field and ongoing education is required. Indeed, there is a strong need in Tonga for more community education in environmental conservation, particularly in the outer islands, together with stricter enforcement of government regulations. The ultimate goal of such awareness is to foster in the local people a sense of stewardship and accountability in relation to their natural environment.
While the potential benefits of ecotourism and cultural tourism can be far reaching, there is also the risk that tourism ventures will negatively impact local cultures. To minimize this risk, FIKCO educates the guides and guests on cultural protocol, such as appropriate dress and behaviour. However, humility and mutual respect, specifically between visitors and their hosts, are equally if not more important (yet often-overlooked) aspects of cultural sensitivity . Tongans are particularly warm and hospitable hosts. If tour operators and travelers comply with government laws and local customs, the cultural exchange will be mutually rewarding and tourism will be positively regarded. In contrast, if there is little or no show of respect, tourism has a tenuous future in that the host country.
We believe that FIKCO is an example of a small-scale eco-friendly venture that is appropriate to the Pacific Island context. The company directors are mindful that the practice of environmentally and culturally sustainable tourism is essential to FIKCO's long-term future since it is precisely the pristine natural features and relatively preserved cultural traditions of Tonga that attract discerning travelers to Tonga. Our mission statement reflects these attitudes and business ethics. In short, FIKCO is about, "The promotion of fun, safe adventure activities within an atmosphere of harmony and unity, specifically between the indigenous people, their natural environment and their guests."
Sharon and Doug Spence
Directors of Friendly Islands Kayak Company Ltd.
