NUKU’ALOFA – Ha’apai tourism facilities suffered an estimated $1.6million pa’anga ($F1.64m) damage in Cyclone Ian but there have been no reports of any injured visitors, Tonga’s Ministry of Commerce, Tourism & Labour reported.
“It is evident that with lack of clean water, loss of electricity and telephone lines, it will take approximately 2-3 months for businesses to recover from the damage caused,” the ministry reported.
All seven tourism businesses in Lifuka and Foa had suffered cyclone damage on January 11, ranging from moderate to severe.
“Of the seven accommodations, Matafonua Lodge experienced the worst with major damage to the property including all 10 fales with the exception of the kitchen. Other resorts reported damage to their fales including roofing, windows and furniture. The water tanks and solar water system too have been damaged.
These include Sandy Beach Resort Billy’s Place, Fifita’s Guest House, Lincy’s Guest House, ‘Evaloni’s Guest House, and Tiulipe Guest House,” stated the ministry.
The condition of four more accommodation businesses on the outer islands of Uoleva and Felemea remained to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the ANZ Tonga bank has given $15,000 pa’anga ($F15,398) to the Tonga Red Cross to assist with the relief efforts in Ha’apai following the devastation left by Tropical Cyclone Ian on 11January.
