Samoa Tourism Authority Electronic Newsletter

New 140 room hotel for Samoa
A new 140 room hotel planned for the western end of Upolu has received support from the Samoan Government. The four star property to be built by hotelier La’auli Alan Grey, owner of Aggie Grey’s Hotel was announced by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Misa Telefoni during his Budget address earlier this month. He said Government was looking forward to providing support needed to facilitate the project and approval had been given to the Samoa Airport Authority to invest 50 acres of land at Faleolo as equity in the planned hotel. Location of the new hotel will be between Faleolo International Airport and the Mulifanua Wharf, a 40 minute drive from Apia. Ground breaking is expected to take place next month with completion in December 2004.

New National Park opens
Lake Lanoto’o, Samoa largest crater-lake situated off the Cross Island Road on Upolu, is now a national park. The 1000 acre park which also includes nearby Lake Lanoata’ata and Lake Lanoanea was announced by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Hon. Tuala Sale Tagaloa last month. The 210 acre Lake Lanoto’o (which takes over a hour to hike to from the Cross Island Road) is home to rare bird species including the Manu’ai Pa’u La’au (Red Headed Parrot Finch), Manumea (Tooth Billed Pigeon) and Manutagi (Crimson Crowned Fruit Dove), all endemic to Samoa, and filled with gold fish first introduced into the lake by German settlers in the 1800s. Lake Lanoto’o is the second national park, after the 6000 acre O Le Pupu Pue National Park on the southern coast of Upolu Island.

New airport terminal for Savaii
Samoa’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Hon. Palusalue Faapo II opened the new terminal building at Maota Airport on Savaii Island last week. In his speech the Minister said with the new terminal was needed because of the increase in air travel by not only local residents but tourists and international flights directly into Maota Airport from Pago Pago, American Samoa. He also said with the establishment of the Salelologa Township, Maota Airport will be an increasingly important point of travel, air cargo shipments and communications. The new terminal building which cost ST$323,000 features airline offices (Polynesian Airlines & Samoa Air), Westpac Bank office, Airport Authority, Customs and Quarantine offices, shops and VIP Lounge. Maota Airport is located 10 minutes west of the Salelologa Township.

Sinalei Reef Resort update
Sinalei Reef Resort has appointed Joyce Scanlan as their new Resort Manager as it prepares for it’s reopening in just two months on 1 September, 2003. Joyce joins Sinalei from Samoa’s Polytechnic where she was manager and co-ordinator of the Tourism and Hospitality Training Department. Prior to this she held various positions in the travel industry overseas including five years with Sheraton Hotels in Queensland as Banquet, Food & Beverage Supervisor and four years with Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast as Conference Co-ordinator. Meanwhile Sinalei has taken onboard the services of Moanalei Adventures, owned and operated by Jon and Lumepa Long. Moanalei Adventures have been contracted to handle all the resorts water activities including, Scuba and Snuba Diving, Snorkelling trips, Kayaking, Canoeing, Game Fishing on the resorts new Fish The Dream game fishing boat and Surfing, personally guided by Jon who happens to be Samoa’s reigning Surf Champ. Jon will represent Samoa in surfing at the South Pacific Games in Fiji next month. Lumepa will manage and run Sinalei’s new water sports and souvenir shop located right on the resorts beach front. For further information contact Moanalei Adventures, email snubasamoa@lesamoa.net or contact Sinalei direct email sinalei@lesamoa.net

Air Pacific adds 2nd Nadi – Apia service
Fiji’s national airline, Air Pacific has added a second return Nadi to Apia service on a Friday morning returning the same day. The new Nadi – Apia schedule is as follows: FJ253 Tuesday departs NAN @ 11.45am, arriving APW @ 2.35pm -1; FJ252 Monday departs APW @ 3.35pm, arriving NAN @ 4.35pm +1; FJ253 Friday departs NAN @ 7.05am, arriving APW @ 9.55am -1; FJ252 Thursday departs APW @ 10.55am, arrives NAN @ 11.55am +1. For further information contact your nearest Air Pacific office.

“Boney M” coming to Samoa
Seventies UK Pop/Disco group “Boney M” are coming to Samoa for a concert later this year. Featuring original band member Liz Mitchell the Apia show will take place on Friday 12 September 2003 following this years Teuila Festival. With such hits as “By the Rivers of Babylon”, “Brown Girl in the Ring”, “Daddy Cool” and an array of other, the sound and light show will be the biggest ever staged in Samoa. Watch this space for further details.

PH’s Polynesian Club
Polynesian Airlines will in the next few months launch the Polynesian Club for passengers departing from Apia, Samoa. For a nominal fee, passengers can enjoy Express Check-in at Faleolo International airport (regardless of class of travel), use of the Polynesian Business Class Lounge and other benefits. For further information on becoming a member of the Polynesian Club email enquiries@polynesianairlines.ws

Samoa 2004 calendar on sale in August
The Samoa Tourism Authority has again commissioned Australian photographer David Kirkland to produce the Samoa 2004 Wall Calendar. This year’s calendar of 10,000 copies (David’s first calendar produced for the STA) sold out in five months when released last year. “The value of having appealing images of Samoa hanging in 10,000 households around the world for 12 months of the year made it an effective marketing exercise for the destination”, he said. The calendar will go on sale mid August 2003, and to purchase a copy contact your nearest Samoa Tourism Authority office listed at the end of this newsletter.

Order your 2003 Samoa Visitor Guide
The Samoa Tourism Authority 2003 Visitor Guide is becoming a very popular reference tool for travel agents and pocket guide for travellers. The 114 page DLE sized guide (which fits perfectly into client’s ticket wallets or their back pocket) is a complete A-Z guide to Samoa and also includes full maps, images, phone, email and website contacts. To order your copies for your office or clients email your nearest Samoa Tourism Authority office listed at the end of this newsletter.

Samoa visitor arrivals for April 2003
Visitor arrivals statistics into Samoa from all source markets worldwide for the month of April 2003 were 7,283, up 19% compared to the same period last year. Total arrivals for the year to date (January to April) were 25,968, up by 1.5% compared to the same period last year. For the month of April, Holiday visitors were 2,114, Business visitors were 582, Sports visitors were 48 and Other visitors were 1,171. For a full set of statistics contact your nearest Samoa Tourism Authority office listed at the end of this newsletter.

New “Green Turtle Tours” brochure
Green Turtle Tours have produced a new brochure offering daily tours around Upolu and Savaii Islands. The DLE brochure is packed full of information on touring options of both islands. Travellers also have the option of taking three to 11 day tours staying in villages and resorts. Diving options are also available. Prices for tours start from ST$90 for the day tour around Upolu and Savaii to ST$1439 for the See Samoa Tour (11days/10 nights) including unlimited ride passes, flights and accommodation on four islands. All prices include 12.5% VAGST. For further information email Green Turtle Tours tours@greenturtletours.com or visit their website www.greenturtletours.com

New “Fish The Dream” brochure
Sinalei Reef Resort has released a new brochure for its game fishing boat, Fish The Dream. The full colour double sided DLE brochure features information on the boat (a twin hull Blade Runner, built in New Zealand) and all its equipment. Hire rates for game fishing are NZ$1000 for a full day (minimum 8 hours) and NZ$500 for a half day (minimum 4 hours). For a copy email chrisulberg@hotmail.com in New Zealand or manager@sinalei.ws in Samoa.

Latest PH inflight magazine out
Polynesian Airlines latest quarterly inflight magazine “Polynesia” for June – August 2003 is now out. The magazines features a resort report on the “Seipepa Travel Home” and “Virgin Cove”, an eating out article on “Paddles” restaurant and a feature on the rebirth of “Organic farming in Samoa”. For a copy contact your nearest Polynesian Airlines office.

Eco Lodge set in the mountains
Cloud 9 Eco Lodge surrounded by tropical rainforests is an accommodation alternative just 15 minutes from Apia. Set high in the mountains at Tapatapaoa, Aleisa the cool mountain breeze offers relief from the blistering heat of the day. There’s a choice of accommodation from four self contained rooms situated in the main building or four fales with their own bathroom facilities. A restaurant and bar is located in the main complex open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located in the grounds and not far from the main complex are the cool waters of Silver Streams with its natural swimming pools. For the more energetic Lake Lanoto’o is a one hour trek away and the Faleata Country Club is just 10 minutes away for those wanting a round of golf. The Lodge is owned and operated by Dave Parker with rates starting from US$15 for a fale, US$25 for a single room and US$35 double/twin. For further information phone (685) 74397 / 28899 or email cloud9resort@yahoo.com

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Samoa Tourism Authority Contacts:

Samoa:
Samoa Tourism Authority, Ph +685 63500, Fax +685 20886, Email info@visitsamoa.ws
Australia:
Samoa Tourism Authority, Ph +612 98245050, Fax +612 98245678, Email samoa@ozemail.com.au
New Zealand:
Samoa Tourism Authority, Ph +649 3796138, Fax +649 3798154, Email samoa@samoa.co.nz

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