Page 15 - IB MAY 2017

Business

.. Samoa Tourism
Fijian Trust Fund

THE Fijian (iTaukei) Trust Fund was estab- ... We are upbeat on arrivals
lished by the Laisenai Qarase-led Soqosoqo ‘
Ni Duavata Ni Lewnivanua Party in 2001 excited to SAMOA will aim to continue improvements
to foster the economic advancement of in its local tourism market after a recent
indigenous peoples including the Rotuman visit by travel industry representatives from
community. grow Carlson around the globe.
The establishment of the Trust was an The Samoa Tourism Exchange attracted
important component of the Blueprint Rezidor’s international interest, coming ahead of
programme for the advancement of Fijians similar events in Fiji, Australia and the
and Rotumans. At the time the govern- regional SPTE 2018in Sydney.
ment recognised that the Great Council of presence ... Tourism Samoa’s Dwayne Bentley said
Chiefs and indigenous Fijian leaders were every effort was being made to increase
constrained by inadequate opportunities to arrival numbers. “Kiwi visitor numbers for
become financially independent. beginning 2016 were up eight per cent from 2015 to
Hence, the objectives of the Trust are around 66,000, securing their place as our
intended to provide financial independence with Fiji’s biggest market,’’ Bentley said.”Australians
and autonomy in relation to the operation were just under half that at 31,000, with
and administration of the GCC. Other objec- American Samoa sitting third with about
tives of the Trust include the undertaking capital of 15,000.’’
and promotion of Fijian language, culture Samoa recorded 145,000 tourists in
and heritage; the development of leadership Suva ... 2016 – a growth of 4.4 per cent over 2015.
and entrepreneurial skills; and sponsorship ‘ “It’s a positive result that can be at-
for further studies or researches into the tributed to awareness of the destination
Fijian language, culture, arts and heritage. and the effort everyone is putting in to get
people here,” Bentley said.
Samoa has put in major tourism infra-
Hotel to change city landscape structure improvements in an effort to
maintain strong visitor growth, including
the construction of a new arrivals terminal
THE proposed Park Inn by Radis- ute drive away. at Faleolo International Airport.
son Fiji Suva will be the first NexGen The airport is slated for refurbish- Slated for opening in January 2018, the
by its developers. ment and currently has flights to key new terminal will increase capacity and
It will have 130 rooms located domestic and regional destinations, improve comfort for visitors ahead of an
within walking distance of the main as well as major international desti- attempt to push for service of the desti-
street, the wharf and the city’s main nations including Auckland, Port Vila nation by larger aircraft. With expected
bus terminal. and Sydney. connections to the Southern Cross Cable,
The hotel will be located close to Park Inn by Radisson Fiji Suva will Samoa hopes to improve Internet speed and
shopping malls, offices, banks, the have an all-day dining restaurant and connectivity by the end of 2017.
headquarters of religious organisa- a lounge. To cater to demand from Meanwhile, Samoa Hotel Association
tions, the European Union office and the MICE segment, the hotel’s meet- consultant Kate Payne said moves were
many Non-Governmental Organisa- ings facilities will include a ballroom afoot to address service standards which
tions (NGOs). and meeting rooms. There will also had been an issue in the past. “But in the
The nearest airport is Nausori In- be a fitness center and ample parking past two years we have made positive prog-
ternational about 17km or a 30-min- lots. ress in food and beverage delivery, kitchen
standards and housekeeping skills for the
members of the Samoa Hotel Association
and the wider community,” Payne said.
mand in the leisure travel segment,” said tourists, an increase of 7.1 per cent over The Samoa Tourism Exchange included
Thorsten Kirschke, Asia Pacific Presi- the previous year. exhibitions, property inspections,food
dent for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Fiji took over 33pc of the visitors with
“We are excited to grow Carlson Rezi- 143,447 tourists form its major tour- and Wine tour and activities across the
country. Participants were also treated
dor’s presence in Australasia (Australia, ism source markets - Australia, New to the Samoan Prime Minister, Tuilaepa
New Zealand and the Pacific Islands), Zealand, Japan, Korea, the United States Fatialofa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi,
beginning with Fiji’s capital of Suva, the and the United Kingdom. playing the ukulele and singing for them
hub for regional businesses operating Early this year the South Pacific Tour-
in the Pacific. ism Organisation made a serious push at Poutasi village.“I’ve had a great time at
the Samoa Tourism Exchange, where we’ve
“Park Inn by Radisson Fiji Suva un- for more European visitors to the region seen beautiful and outstanding resorts and
derscores our renewed commitment to by making a roadshow through key properties, each with something different
Australasia, which is a key region for markets in Europe. to offer families and couples alike,” said
Carlson Rezidor in Asia Pacific.” Anita Gatley of Wedding Travel from New
In 2016 the Pacific attracted 380,870 r netrika66@gmail.com
Zealand.

Islands Business, May 2017 15