Tonga Agritourism Policy Setting Workshop 2018 Policy setting for improved linkages between agriculture, trade and tourism: Strengthening the local Agrifood sector and promoting Agritourism in Tonga. Workshop organised by the Government of Tonga in collaboration with CTA, and the Pacific Community, PIPSO and SPTO

1. Challenges and Opportunities for Farmers &
Farmers Organisations
Joanna Bourke

2. Challenges…..
• Farmers & Fisheries
• Capability Building
• Farmers to Supply
• Farmers and their communities to be tour guides, hospitable, welcome
• Farmers to be promoters of their product and their experience
• Empowering and Strengthening the Farmers and Fisheries
• Extension Services
• Innovation
• Education – Yields, Diversification, Financing
• Promotion of our Local Produce - Traditional Food
• Import Substitution
• Partnerships - Dialogue, Information , Sharing

3. Opportunities
• Developing interactive tour products to suit tourists - packaging, brochuring, educating sellers of
the tours/products
• Tourists - Leisure travellers, Corporate, Groups, Special Interests
• VFR - Diaspora, Our Own Tongan people with high disposable incomes
• Farm Stays & Experiences
• Food Experiences
• Food Shows
• Processing/Value Add
• Showcasing our Local Foods
• Working with farmers to ascertain supply of product
• Product Diversification with excess supply and waste
• What do our tourists want - obviously local cuisine, whether it is an authentic traditional dish
prepared in the traditional way or contemporary versions
• Technological – App Development for Tourists

4. To Conclude …
• Multisectoral – Linking Farmers – promoting local food – increasing
production – more local food is available – import substitution – more
local food is available at an affordable price
• Link Agritourism to Health Outcomes
• Rural poverty is lessened