Samoa Tourism Authority Electronic Newsletter

2003 Record Year for Worldwide Arrivals into Samoa
Total worldwide visitor arrivals into Samoa for 2003 reached a record high of 92,313 up 3.8% (an additional 3353 visitors) compared to the previous year. These visitors also generated ST$158.3 million (US$52.7 million) in foreign exchange, up ST$5.2 million from the previous year. Top 5 visitor source markets for the year were: American Samoa 30,166 (33% of market share); New Zealand 26,974 (29%); Australia 12,101 (13%); USA 8545 (9%) and Other Pacific Islands 3947 (4%). The Top 5 markets by purpose of visit were as follows: HOLIDAY – New Zealand 8615 (23.7% increase from previous year), American Samoa 6670 (-1.6%), Australia 5026 (9.6%), USA 3149 (-8.5%) and UK 1671 (48.3%); VFR – American Samoa 14,573 (-9% decrease from previous year), New Zealand 19,975 (8.8%), Australia 4186 (8.9%), USA 2782 (-6.2%) and Other Pacific Islands 959 (-5.5%); BUSINESS – New Zealand 3205 (-0.6% decrease from previous year), American Samoa 2296 (-5.2%), Australia 1699 (3.5%), USA 878 (15.5%) and Fiji 821 (3.4%); SPORTS – American Samoa 312 (-26.9% decrease from previous year), New Zealand 229 (-15.2%), USA 132 (11.9%), Australia 126 (-45%) and Other Pacific Islands 107 (-56.1%); OTHERS (visitors that tick the others box on arrival card but do not specify purpose of visit) American Samoa 6315 (2.5% increase from previous year), New Zealand 3950 (21.7%), Other Pacific Islands 1800 (21.2%), USA 1604 (11.7%) and Other Asian 1175 (60.3%). Of the total 92,313, Holiday visitors numbered 29,388 up 7.9% from the previous year and making up 32% of the total. VFR visitors numbered 34,502 down 1.4% and 37% of the total. Business visitors numbered 10,294 up 1.4% and 11% of the total. Sports visitors numbered 1041, down 26.8% and 1% of the total. Other visitors numbered 17,088 up 12.7% and 19% of the total. A sample of visitor arrival statistics is featured below and for a full set of statistics contact your nearest Samoa Tourism Authority office listed at the end of this newsletter.

Management changes in PH regional offices
Samoa’s national carrier Polynesian Airlines has made some changes to its management team in its regional offices. Toleafoa John Nickel (formerly Regional Manager Pacific Islands) will return to Australia as the airlines Regional Manager Australia and Tonga based in Sydney. Malotau Carlos Lamaison takes on a new role as Area Manager also based in Sydney. Michelene Tauaa has been appointed Regional Manager Pacific Islands responsible for Fiji and Niue based in their Apia office and Molisoni Otukolo has been appointed Area Manager in Tonga. All new appointments take effect 1 March 2004.

Air New Zealand Northern Winter Schedule to Samoa
Air New Zealand will still maintain its three terminator services a week AKL/APW when it changes to its Northern Winter Schedule next month. However, while the three services remain, one flight NZ60/61 will be operated by A320 aircraft and the remaining two by B767-200 aircraft. The use of the A320 (which seats 146) will see a reduction of 50 seats per week on the route that has normally been serviced by the B767-200 which seats 196 passengers. As reported in last months newsletter Samoa is “under consideration” as one of the destinations when the airline launches its “Express” fares to Pacific next month. Meanwhile NZ’s AKL/TBU/APW/LAX return weekly service will remain unchanged. For more information on NZ’s new schedule consult your CRS/GDS or contact your nearest Air New Zealand office.

Savaii Surfaris release new brochure
Savaii Island’s only surf operator, Savaii Surfaris has released its new brochure. The colour brochure is packed with information on surfing options and other excursions offered around the Big Island. Savaii Surfaris offers 10 Samoan Fales (for accommodation) four of which are air conditioned double rooms, central amenities with hot showers, comfortable beds, mosquito nets and electricity. A beach bar and dining area can be found right at the waters edge. Located at Aganoa Beach, which is a rainforest conservation reserve, Savaii Surfaris overlooks a private white sand beach with surf breaks right out front. Game fishing charters and island tours are just some of the other activities offered with snorkelling right in front of your fale accommodation. The Salelologa Township and Maota Airport are just 15 minutes away as well as the Olemoe Waterfalls, Tafua Crater and Fly Fox Caves. For a copy of Savaii Surfaris new brochure or further information on their surfing tours and other activities email savaiisurfaris@samoa.ws, phone (685) 50180 / 50163 or fax (685) 50115.

Final stage of Coconuts rooms renovations begin
The final phase of Coconuts Beach Club’s room renovation work on their Tree House rooms has begun. Expected to take three months to complete, the new look rooms will feature 30% more space. Entry into each room will be via a enlarged tiled foyer and new features will include an expanded bathroom with there famous “tubs with a view” bathtubs, new vanity and sink islands and separate toilet area all lined in charcoal slate. All Tree House rooms will also feature new four-poster bamboo beds and decor. Renovation work will be limited to two rooms at a time to minimise disruption to guests with all work due for completion by 30 April 2004.

2004 Samoa Public Holidays
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour has released the official list of 2004 Public Holidays for Samoa. Any public holiday which falls on a Sunday shall be observed on the following Monday. The official public holidays are as follows: Thursday 1 January, New Years Day; Friday 2 January, Day after New Years day; Friday 9 April, Good Friday; Saturday 10 April, Day after Good Friday; Monday 12 April, Easter Monday; Sunday 25 April, ANZAC Day; Monday 26 April, Public Holiday for observation of ANZAC Day; Monday 10 May, Mothers Day; Tuesday 1 June, Independence Day; Monday 2 August, Labour Day; Monday 11 October, Lotu a Tamaiti Holiday; Saturday 25 December, Christmas Day; Sunday 26 December, Boxing Day; Monday 27 December, Public Holiday for observation of Boxing Day.

Star Alliance Circle Pacific Fare
The Star Alliance group of airlines has released its Circle Pacific Fare brochure offering 25 countries including Samoa and 136 airports all on the one ticket. There’s a choice of two fare mileage levels – 22,000 and 26,000 miles available in First, Business and Economy Class. Prices are based on mileage, class of travel and from where you start your journey. All flights earn miles on the various Star Alliance frequent flyer programmes. There is a minimum of two stopovers and a maximum of 28 flight sectors available on the fare. For further information and fare pricing contact your nearest Star Alliance airline – Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Spanair, Thai, United and Varig.

New Zealand wholesalers release Samoa brochures
Two of Samoa’s biggest wholesalers in the New Zealand market place – Go Holidays and talpacific Holidays have released their 2004 Samoa brochures. Go Holidays 10 page brochure features general destination information, maps, things to see and do, accommodation facilities and rates for Coconuts Beach Club, Vavau Beach Fales, Pasifika Inn, Sinalei Reef Resort, Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Kitano Tusitala Hotel, Siufaga Beach Resort, Le Lagoto Beach Resort, Tanu Beach fales and Vacations Beach Fales. Also featured is a special NZ$99 pp 4 day driving pass deal. For a copy email Go Holidays at shorthaul@gogogo.co.nz. Talpacific Holidays brochure combines Samoa, Tonga and Niue in its 20 page brochure. In the Samoa section at the front you’ll find general information, maps, things to do and accommodation and rates on the following properties – Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Hotel Kitano Tusitala, Sinalei Reef Resort, Coconuts Beach Club, Hotel Millenia, Vavau Beach Fales, Tanu Beach Fales, Litia Beach Fales, Le Lagoto Beach Resort, Siufaga Beach Resort and Stevenson’s at Manase. For a copy email auckland@talpacific.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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