Tourism operators in Savai'i have been receiving lessons on how to use social media to lure business. 

Facilitated by the Savai'i Samoa Tourism Association, the training was held recently at the Jet Over Hotel in Salelologa and Janes Beach Fales in Manase.

Lauren Griffin, who is the Marketing Coordinator for the Association and one of the facilitators, said the initiative to carry out the training was born out of the results of some research carried out by the Association. 

"These two trainings were designed to help accommodation and attraction site providers bring visibility and awareness to all they have to offer here in beautiful Savai'i," said Ms Griffin.

"After some research by S.S.T.A. it became apparent that many lacked the confidence and/or knowledge on how to set up a business social media page, and this was a major roadblock to getting them online and increasing their visibility to tourists.”

Ms. Griffin said the use of social media platforms has become widespread and travelers are consistently using social media to find places to stay in advance to their arrival at a destination. “Through giving the attendees the skill set to set up their business social media page, it will ultimately become easier for tourists to discover what they want to do while on the island resulting in more people visiting each site."

The Association's mission is to help local tourism providers through trainings to enhance the knowledge of the employees, Ms. Griffin added so they can serve their customers to the best of their ability. 

Not only that but also to help businesses become more sustainable and independent, she said.

The training had close to a total of 50 attendees with 20 different properties being represented from hotels, beach fales, attraction sites and cafes in Savai’i.

Netta Hartin of Netta's Cake and Cafe at Asaga commended the Association for such a knowledgeable training.

"The training is very helpful and I'm happy to have been part of it," she said.

The training was funded by the Tindall Foundation in partnership with Volunteer Service Abroad.

The facilitators were Lauren Griffin and Nive Gidlow of S.S.T.A.