“Foki ki ‘Api” – Nurturing our understanding of ‘home’ when visiting friends and relatives (VFR) - the case of Leimātu‘a, Vava‘u, Tonga

aut.embargoNoen_NZ
aut.thirdpc.containsNoen_NZ
aut.thirdpc.permissionNoen_NZ
aut.thirdpc.removedNoen_NZ
dc.contributor.advisorBremner, Hamish
dc.contributor.advisorFairbairn-Dunlop, Peggy
dc.contributor.authorTalakai-'Alatini, Sio Kihe La'a
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-20T21:26:33Z
dc.date.available2014-11-20T21:26:33Z
dc.date.copyright2014
dc.date.created2014
dc.date.issued2014
dc.date.updated2014-11-20T07:02:28Z
dc.description.abstractInternational migration for people in the Pacific has become a cultural and economic voyage in which identities are challenged and questioned. With the evolution of transport technology, the modern era has provided a more efficient form of transport. This study contributes to the theorising of relationships between Pacific migrants and ‘home’ in ways other than through remittances. Exploring the unique role of Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) and the cultural aspects associated with such travel, is a component that is often neglected or ignored in tourism literature. This study examines what tauhi vā (to take care of socio-spatial relationships between kin and kin like members) might mean from the perspective of the Tongan diaspora and how VFR tourism may contribute to maintaining cultural relations between home and Tongans living overseas. It also seeks to investigate the experiences of Tongan migrants returning to Tonga to attend a cultural village event. The participants in this research attended a week long village event “foki ki ‘api” (returning home). Using the framework of Kakala and Talanoa as a method to capture and give privilege to the voices of the returning migrants, VFR travel as a sub sector is useful for the strengthening of cultural and family relationships. It is also useful in validating the understanding of motivational factors behind the purpose of travel which could contribute to the sustainability of tourism in Tonga. The strengthening of cultural and family relations allows people from the home to renew, build and reconnect with their families overseas; the elusive space that connects one person to another. Furthermore, the Tongan culture and way of living plays a vital role in maintaining the ties and relations as seen in tauhi vā.en_NZ
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/7957
dc.language.isoenen_NZ
dc.publisherAuckland University of Technology
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.subjectVisiting friends and family (VFR)en_NZ
dc.subjectDiasporaen_NZ
dc.subjectTauhi vaen_NZ
dc.subjectMigrationen_NZ
dc.subjectMaintenance of cultural relationshipsen_NZ
dc.title“Foki ki ‘Api” – Nurturing our understanding of ‘home’ when visiting friends and relatives (VFR) - the case of Leimātu‘a, Vava‘u, Tongaen_NZ
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.discipline
thesis.degree.grantorAuckland University of Technology
thesis.degree.levelMasters Theses
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Tourism Studiesen_NZ
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