Excellence in tourism rewarded

By Ilia L. Likou 21 January 2018, 12:00AM

Taumeasina Island Resort has secured the ultimate award at the 2017/2018 Samoa Tourism Excellence Awards.

The Taumeasina-based resort won the National Tourism Excellence Award, overcoming strong competition from two other finalists in Seabreeze and Return to Paradise.

Sponsored by the government, the award was one of two awards that went to Taumeasina. The other is the Best Hygiene Award sponsored by the A.R.C.O. Chemicals.

Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, presented the award and congratulated the team at Taumeasina.

The owners, management and staff at Taumeasina Island Resort were all incredibly humbled.

General Manager Nathan Bucknall said their success is all about team work.

 “It was with a joyful heart that I was able to accept the two awards.” Mr. Bucknall said.

He thanked his staff members for their service, commitment and dedication in their respective duties. 

“These awards belong to the staff and management at Taumeasina Island Resort who through their hard work, dedication, sleepless nights, and perseverance, have managed to open a brand-new resort in an emerging market and within two years have been recognised by the industry for their hard work,” he said.

“Taumeasina Island Resort was opened on July 2016, and the journey has been incredibly challenging, while being equally rewarding."  

“We have had the opportunity to host many celebrities and dignitaries from aboard and a large number of tourists from around the globe." 

“We are proud that we have become the first choice accommodation for Samoans returning home to visit family and relatives and a popular destination for weddings, events, reunions, meals and a place to hangout.”

The General Manager also thanked the government for the great initiative in pushing tourism industry further for the economy of Samoa.

“Taumeasina would like to thank all of our supporters, from the diplomatic corps, local communities, business houses, and Samoans from all around the globe that supported and believed in us,” he said. 

“We would to like to express our gratitude to the Samoa Tourism Authority and the Government of Samoa for their support and for enabling such award nights and events that recognise achievements in the industry.  

“Through these events, the Samoan hospitality industry continues to grow and improve our service standards, accommodation and tour options resulting in a stronger and more versatile tourism industry.”

This is the second year of the Samoa Tourism Excellence Awards. The idea is to recognise the outstanding performance of tourism and hospitality businesses across Samoa.

The finalists and the winners of the Tourism Excellence Awards were recognised by visiting guests for the memorable experiences that they had in Samoa with the warmth and caring services offered to them by the tourism business, owners, operators and staff.

Minister of Tourism, Salā Fata Pinati, reminded that tourism is the mainstay of Samoa’s economy.

“This recalls our commitment to continue developing our ‘beautiful Samoa’ to a place that we are proud to call home and a place that tourists and citizens can enjoy for work, holiday and play in peace and harmony,” Salā said.

‘This is seen in the sector’s ability to attract investments and contribute to the creation of jobs and the generation of foreign exchange.”

He added the award will also encourage tourism stakeholders and the tourism hospitality industry in achieving the Samoa Development Strategies objectives.

“There are many more areas that we have progressed together and we continue to persevere in areas that require our attention as also recommended by our visiting guests,” Salā said.

The most important is that ‘we want tourists to tell our stories as the Tusitala Robert Louis Stevenson had done for Samoa and continues to do so from atop Mt. Vaea and the museum’

“Let us continue to build a Samoa that makes all Samoans proud to call home.

“A place that our people abroad can proudly belong and that our development partners will want to affiliate and in our humility thank God for the blessings upon Samoa and for the nations and organisations who continue to help us through financial and technical support.”

Deputy Prime Minister Fiame congratulated all the winners and encouraged them to  keep improving.

 

The 16 Award Categories are:

 

1. Best Car Rental - Taumeasina Rentals

2. Best Taxi Service – Ray’s Taxi Stand

3. Best Airport Transfer – Return to Paradise

4. Best Hygiene Award– Taumeasina Island Resort

5. Best Elei Uniform – Return to Paradise

6. Best Cultural Entertainment – Saletoga Sands Beach Resort

7. Best Tour Operator – Chef John 

8. Best Attraction Site – Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

9. Best Bar and Hangout – The Edge

10. Best Restaurant – Scallini

11. Best Beach Fale – Manusina

12. Best Budget – Faofao Beach Fales

13. Best Standard – Lynn’s Getaway

14. Best Superior – Amanaki Hotel

15. Best Deluxe – Seabreeze Resort

16. National Tourism Excellence Award – Taumeasina Island Resort

By Ilia L. Likou 21 January 2018, 12:00AM

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