The 57^th Independence anniversary celebration on Saturday closed off with a ball hosted by Samoa Hotel Association (SHA) at the TATTE Building, Sogi.

More than a 100 people from the business community and Government ministries attend the ball that evening which revolved around the theme "A night of Tropical Splendor".

President of SHA, Tupai Saleimoa Vaai from Vaisala and Asau in Savai'i, said that the event marks three years since the event was hosted.

“We were given this task by the Prime Minister three years ago to host the Samoa Independence Ball to celebrate our country becoming independent from colonial powers,” he said.

Tupai stated that the closing dinner was also a fundraiser for their association.

“Like any association we have to self-fund but this was also an opportunity to showcase what the tourism industry has to offer which is also a privilege for SHA.

“Tourism affects every major aspect of our country –it is a huge contributor to the economy of Samoa and so our theme for the event has a representation of our island nation – we get a lot of visitors that enjoy Samoa so those services will be provided during the event to our guests,” he told Samoa Observer.

He also acknowledged their main sponsors Tauala, Samoa Pure Water and Samoa Airways.

“We also extend our gratitude to a lot of the business community that bought our corporate tables – we appreciate and thank them for all their assistance because it does go a long way in helping the association in doing what it does.

“There will be a lot of entertainments and we are pleased to have Punialavaa perform proudly sponsored by Tanoa Tusitala Hotel.

“And lastly I thank all our members in SHA for their hard work in putting all this together.”