The COVID-19 global pandemic has crippled the local tourism industry but hoteliers and the business community in Savai’i are not letting this get in their way.

Last Saturday the Savai'i Samoa Tourism Association [S.S.T.A.] took the lead and kicked off the #KeepSavaiiClean initiative, which will now become a commitment by tourism operators and businesses on the big island to not only keep Savai'i "green, clean and beautiful" but also relay messages to residents to avoid littering. 

Their work will now revolve around the motto "keeping Savai'i clean" with the initiative officially kicking off last Saturday.

The clean-up saw people from different age groups as well as hoteliers and villagers in Savai'i volunteer to help with the clean-up. 

"This is an ongoing S.S.T.A. led campaign that aims at promoting cleaner and greener surroundings through voluntary clean-ups and awareness activities around Savaii," says a statement released by the S.S.T.A. 

"It is an environmental project that further encourages a sense of community and responsibility to bring to an end the problem of public littering.”

Last week's workathon started from the village of Pu'apu'a and went all the way to Samalaeulu. 

The people behind the initiative are also looking at having more clean-ups on the big island.

The next clean-up is scheduled for September 12 and will start from the street lights at Salelologa and finish at the Salelologa Fish Market at 7 am.