Members of the Samoa Hotel Association have extended the office terms of their current President and the Board until after the COVID-19 global pandemic subsides.

The S.H.A. convened a meeting on Monday night where the members were given an update on the election of new office bearers at their annual general meeting [A.G.M.].

Incumbent S.H.A. President, Tupa'i Saleimoa Vaai, told members present that night that the A.G.M. was scheduled for the beginning of this year but it was not possible due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

He said the meeting can now be held at the end of next month, as they would need the whole month for notification before they can progress some of the issues currently facing the industry, prior to electing new office bearers.

But former S.H.A President and Hotel Millenia General Manager, Tuala Oli Ah Him, then put forth a motion for the incumbent President and the Board to continue to hold office for the next couple of months until after the global pandemic. 

The motion was then put forth to the floor for a vote, however, the members agreed by consensus that the terms of the current President and Board be extended.

Tupa'i, in response to the decision of the S.H.A. members, acknowledged their vote of confidence in him and the Board and vowed to continue to advocate for them.

"Thank you for putting me in the newspaper every day. Thank you Tuala and the membership for your faith in the endorsement of the current Board to continue on with the work they’ve been doing,” he said. "We’re hopeful and we pray that the Lord provides his grace in trying to get this pandemic over and done with so that we can get some normality but for the current time, your council will keep pursuing the advocacy that is needed for the membership."