Ha’apai groups where Captain Cook awarded the name Friendly Islands of Tonga has been named by the Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 regions in the world to visit.
Known as FoʻiʻOneʻone – a metaphorical name used because its people are regarded as more experienced and practised in life among other Tongans, it is one of the three largest group of islands in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Lonely Planet has praised it in its guide's Best in Travel 2014 edition for its lush, reef-fringed islands, swaying palm trees and tropical sunshine.
It was also lauded for its excellence in viewing breaching humpback whales, technicolour tropical fish, scintillating sea kayaking, and even a smoking volcano – all amid a sleepy, seductive Tongan outlook on life.
The news was a tremendous boost to the Ministry of Commerce Tourism and Labour’s endeavour to improve the industry in Tonga.
Last month it hosted workshops to discuss Enhancing Tonga Tourism Statistics in Nuku’alofa and Vava’u.
Lonely Planet, however is one of the largest travel guide book publishers in the world and is still one of the definitive voices in the travel world, and tourists around the globe rely on when planning their 2014 holidays.
“Lonely Planet’s travel experts have trekked the globe to hand-pick the best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the upcoming year,” its website says.
Haʻapai along with 9 other regions has been picked “after fierce debate and hundreds of suggestions from our extended family of travel experts, authors, editors, bloggers and tweeters, these are the top 10 … regions poised for greatness in 2014,” Lonely Planet says.
The top-ranked cities, countries and regions have been revealed in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014 book released on Tuesday which comparatively grouped the little islands of Ha’apai together with Texas – USA, West Coast – New Zealand and Yorkshire – Englan.
Do you think the Lonely Planet made the right choices? You are welcome to make comments here at the Kaniva Pacific News Webite.
Top 10 regions
- Sikkim, India
- The Kimberley, Western Australia
- Yorkshire, England
- Hokuriku, Japan
- Texas, USA
- Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
- Mallorca, Spain
- West Coast, New Zealand
- Hunan, China
- Ha'apai, Tonga
Top 10 cities
- Paris, France
- Trinidad, Cuba
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Riga, Latvia
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Shanghai, China
- Vancouver, Canada
- Chicago, USA
- Adelaide, Australia
- Auckland, New Zealand
Top 10 countries
- Brazil
- Antarctica
- Scotland
- Sweden
- Malawi
- Mexico
- Seychelles
- Belgium
- Macedonia
- Malaysia
