Forum looks to boost Samoa tourism

"By 2019 Samoa will have a growing tourism sector which engages our visitors and people and is recognised as the leading Pacific destination for sustainable tourism," said Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

PM Tuilaepa made the comment at a tourism conference that aims to boost the performance of the tourism sector in Samoa.

"The tourism sector contributes to the wealth coming into Samoa, as well as 10% of the employment in the country," Tuilaepa added.

That 10% equates to 6,700 Samoans working in the tourism industry.

"It’s a help to sustain our pristine environment.

"We are determined to position our destination to a level of excellence to increase tourism and visitors," he added.

The most exciting years of tourism have been the last three years, with the hosting of the Small Island Developing States conference, the All Blacks and Manu Samoa Game as well as the boxing bout “Rumble in Paradise.’

It is these types of attractions that the government is pushing.

"The advice from Government, is in any conference, be quick to bid so we increase the conferences to come here. And these investments will expose Samoa overseas," said Tuilaepa.

"While there are costs, it is these that will help develop our tourism into the exposure it needs," he added.

The theme for the forum is achieving excellence, falling straight into place with the launched excellence achievement awards to be showcased in January 7th 2017 as a part of the initiative to put each company whether public or private into competition.

Loop Samoa