The Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) has hosted a series of industry talanoa sessions to help enhance the country's tourism products and services.   

The talanoa sessions were convened in Apia and Savai’i over two days and saw local tourism industry members gather to collaborate on issues impacting tourism product offerings, marketing and promotion, research and statistics, and policies for industry development according to a written statement issued on Friday.

The Tourism Minister, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, in his speech during the meeting emphasised the need for tourism industry operators and the S.T.A. to work together to increase the number of visitors to Samoa following the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is Samoa Tourism Authority’s goal to better promote and entice potential visitors to choose Samoa over other Pacific Island countries as a place to visit, relax and recuperate from the rigours of life,” Toeolesulusulu said. 

“Samoa is the destination for travellers wanting to learn about a different culture and way of life, enjoy the beauty of nature in its pristine and unspoilt way, celebrate special occasions and events, and to reconnect with their aiga (family).”

The industry sessions focused on the tourism product (features of Samoa as an attractive tourism destination); tourism marketing and promotion (how we want visitors to imagine Samoa); research and statistics (understanding numbers vital for good business decisions); policies for tourism development (actions and behaviours needed to fulfil goals); and group presentations (open discussions on what's next).

The S.T.A. will collate all feedback provided at the sessions on how best to improve Samoa's tourism offering and position Samoa as a preferred travel destination, and present to the industry during its final Industry Talanoa Meet next Tuesday at Hotel Tanoa Tusitala in Apia.

The two-day industry sessions organised by the authority come on the back of the S.T.A. announcing last month that it has re-commenced its Trade Familiarisation Program part of the authority's trade re-engagement efforts and aims to boost awareness amongst frontline retailers and position Samoa as a unique holiday destination.