9 Aug 2005

Tonga strike threatens to damage the country's international image - tourism chief

7:18 pm on 9 August 2005

The Director of the Tonga Visitors Bureau, Va'inga Palu, says if the 19-day public servant strike continues much longer it may give the kindgom a bad international image.

Last week, the British and Australia said the strike could disrupt some services and advised travellers to avoid demonstrations and public gatherings.

Some foreign journalists are also in Tonga to cover the strike.

Mr Palu says he hopes to see an end to the dispute soon.

"We would like to see the situation back to normal as quickly as possible because if it stays on longer then certainly it will have, I believe, some negative effect on the image of Tonga being a popular and safe tourist destination."

The Director of the Tonga Visitors Bureau, Va'inga Palu.