Games accommodation to be finalised next month

By Yolanda Lavata’i 26 October 2018, 12:00AM

The 2019 Pacific Games Organising Committee is looking to finalise the number of hotels to be used by athletes and officials during the games by the end of next month.

This is according to the committee’s C.E.O., Falefata Hele Matatia, who told the Samoa Observer that the Attorney-General’s office is finalising the details of the accommodation arrangements. 

“We already have countries contacting our office and we really need to have accommodations ready before Christmas,” Falefata said. 

“Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A) is in charge of accommodation. There is a memorandum of agreement (M.O.A.) that has been signed by S.T.A., the Pacific Games Office board and hotels. 

“We have this M.O.A. that specifies all requirements that they (hotels) need to meet. We are working on the agreement with the Attorney General’s Office to finalise these details specifically for what each hotel needs to provide.”

During the interview at the Tuanaimato Sports Complex on Wednesday, Falefata said the S.T.A has certain accommodation standards that the hotels need to meet before anything is finalised. 

“There have not been any selected hotels at the moment, and after the M.O.A is finalised, we will then start allocating the hotels and meet with them to make sure there are enough rooms, enough beds before we can start allocating them to particular teams.”

He added the agreement also highlights that the Tourism Authority is in charge of budgeting for the accommodation.

“We will also know from the S.T.A. how many bookings are needed for hotels for the Games.” 

Falefata said they are prepared if there are any last minute changes to the number of athletes and officials participating. 

“We have contingency plans in place. We are looking at Pesega and Samoa College because these are the two schools with the minimal upgrades.

“The public will have to wait until everything is finalised but until then, do not worry everything is going well,” he said.  

The Pacific Games is scheduled for July 2019 and more than 4,500 athletes and officials are expected to attend.

By Yolanda Lavata’i 26 October 2018, 12:00AM

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