Tourism is everybody’s business.

That was the message from the Minister of Tourism, Sala Fata Finati, on Friday at the opening of the Samoa Tourism Forum 2019 held at Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel on Beach Road.

“Tourism is everybody's business and the role of Stakeholders in delivering and achieving the shared-objectives of the Sector Plan is key for the success of tourism for Samoa,” Sala said.

The Forum is an annual event coordinated and established to inform and promote dialogue within the tourism sector on key issues that encourages and shape tourism development in Samoa, the region and the world. It enforces national efforts keep Samoa beautiful.

“Tourism is a key mainstay of Samoa's development strategy and accordingly, the Samoa Tourism Sector Plan 2014-2019 has been developed to provide a clear direction and pathway for the development of tourism within the country,” said Sala.

The Minister said the plan supports the theme ‘Boosting Productivity for Sustainable Development’ and its long-term goal of improved quality of life for all.

“The Government continues to look at areas through which Samoa's appeal and competitiveness as a visitor destination may be further improved.  

“The launch of the Samoa Airways in 2017 is a huge milestone for the country and more opportunities are being researched to grow air-access from existing and new gateways, especially in diversifying Samoa's visitor-base.”