Tourism operators have been invited to register for the Samoa Tourism Exchange for 2023 which will start on 25 April for two and a half days. 

The largest B-to-B event, linking wholesalers and retailers for the industry, was ceased due to covid-19 and recommences with an opening at Tanoa Hotel, an exhibition at Taumeasina Island Resort and a closing ceremony at Return to Paradise resort.

The chair of the Samoa Tourism Board, Tauiliili Alise Stunnenberg said the event was an important one.

"We have invited buyers (wholesalers and retail travel agents) from the visitors' source markets to Samoa instead of us going there, which would obviously be a very expensive exercise," she said. 

"In short, this will be a great opportunity for our tourism service providers to have face-to-face meetings with people who are potential promoters of their products and services to their overseas clients. They will need to come prepared with attractive images and rates for their products and services.

"We encourage hoteliers, transportation providers, tour operators, airlines, and site operators to register their participation."

Starting on the 25 April, the event is expected to attract various Samoa's suppliers of tourism products and services and travel product and contracting managers from across a number of source markets, in a business-to-business setting according to a statement made by the Samoa Tourism Authority.

"Attendees will be able to register their interest as well as set up 15-minute business appointments that will take place during the exhibition," the statement read.

"The two-day event is preceded by a number of site visits and property inspections in which buyers from source markets are able to see and experience Samoa's tourism products first-hand.

"Buyers from across New Zealand, Australia, the USA, UK/Europe, China, South Korea, and American Samoa will be at S.T.E Samoa Tourism Exchange 2023."

The tourism operators are given till the 7 April to register.