Samoa Tourism | Samoa Travel and Holiday Dreams

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Tag-Archive for "Samoa tourism"

Massive Rebuilding Work at Sinalei Author: Mats Jan 24

A builder everywhere

Sinalei entrance

In every corner of Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa there is a builder of some kind restoring and repairing after the tsunami damage.

Not knowing how everything will be paid for, the owners and management have such a strong vision and commitment to bring Sinalei back to what it was before or even better.

The foundation of 5 new beach side fales have already been laid and the presidential suite have got a total rebuild after more or less been lifted off the ground by the huge tsunami wave.

The beach side restaurant “Ava i Tonga” which was totally gone has now got it’s new basic layout on the little man made island just below the main resort.

A new water sport centre is well on its way, built by volunteers from both Australia and New Zealand.

The location of the Spa has slightly been changed together with a whole new layout providing for a better sea-view and natural cooling by the ocean breeze.

Although about 70% of the staff has been laid off there are still many helping with cleaning, cooking and preparing for the future guests that are already now booking the resort and eagerly awaiting the day it will be open again.

Unconditional Love!

The manager of Sinalei, Sose Annandale express her sincere thanks for the amazing out-pour of love and help from people all around the world, people who really do care.

Despite times of war, hate and disaster there is another side of people that has a deep rooted love for humanity and ready to help unconditionally. This has clearly been proven with all the volunteers just coming by themselves from everywhere offering their professional skills for free.

Will Sinalei be reopened already in February?

Sose Annandale is talking about a soft opening for the local audience already in February. This will allow the resort to get a small revenue flowing back in, helping to lessen the huge costs that are involved.

In the event of an soft opening, there will still be lots of construction work going on. Not until the beginning of April, Sinalei will again be the peaceful and beautiful haven as it always has been.

Mats Loefkvist www.samoa-experience.com

Samoa – Back To The Future Author: Mats Jan 03

Goals worth nothing

First I like to wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR with the hope that you have spent some valuable time with your family and loved ones. As usual you are supposed to set goals for the new year, which most of the time only are nice wishes. Goals and wishes are worth nothing without action, so let’s have some action during 2010. I believe that this is the time to start new and be totally open for different ideas rather then going in the footpath of the comfortable past years. We need to start thinking outside the box.

The numbers below shows clearly that we are on the right way. The traps are many and only with careful planning, a common vision and quality we will be able to succeed.

Minister of tourism

What the Tourism Minister Plan

Samoa broke the ST300 million barrier in tourism earnings in the year to the end of June. The first time we earned ST310 million, which is about 30% of our GDP—the largest single contributor after remittances.

Up until now, tourism has been booming in Samoa with Australian holiday makers tripling in number over the last six years. Over 15,000 Australians made a holiday in Samoa in 2008.

Internationally, Samoa received over 120,000 tourists during the same year of 2008.
Taking into account Samoa’s natural beauty, the friendly locals, and the growing accommodation industry, it is no surprise that the vast majority of travelers visit for leisure purposes.

The Tourism Ministry’s goal is to get 135,000 tourists, which is an increase on the last year of about 16 percent.

Tourism is a key industry for the Samoan economy. It’s the biggest revenue earner, worth $300 million a year. It also brings in the most foreign exchange, providing and creating employment opportunities for our people.

Project planner

New Projects?

In light of the tsunami disaster, questions are now being asked about whether the massive tourism development project that was planned for Sasina and other villages in Savaii will still go ahead.
What about the proposed Warwick hotel at Vavau? How will the tsunami affect the progress of that project?

According to an official report Samoa still have about 85% of the accommodation businesses in operation and the only thing stopping the earnings for the tourism sector is the hesitation of the visitors to come back. The report tells the following:
1.   We still have five out of seven deluxe hotels available – 326 rooms and 854 beds.
2.   We still have five out of seven superior resorts available – 135 rooms and 314 beds
3.   We still have 22 out of 24 standard hotels available – 315 rooms and 759 beds
4.   We still have 27 out of 29 budget hotels available – 406 rooms and 864 beds
5.   We still have nine out of 14 beach fales available (overnight stays) or 144 rooms and 348 beds.
6.   We still have eight out of 17 beach fales available (day stays) or 51 rooms.”

Fly Easy to Samoa

Air Pacific has just launched a new flight given Samoa a direct service to Honolulu which has proven very lucrative.
We’ve now got 14 flights a week from New Zealand, 3 flights a week nonstop from Sydney and one from Brisbane. Still Air New Zealand is flying the popular route Los Angeles – New Zealand with a stop in Apia.

A Must for the Future

Tourism is growing greener and more and more travelers demand a green and responsible development for the future. People are not only prepared to pay more for an environmentally aware hotel, they are also not prepared to contribute to any irresponsible activity unfavorable to the nature what so ever.

Although the tsunami was a terrible disaster, it gives us the possibility to rethink and review the future plans of our tourism activities.

Looking Back on 2009

Full of sadness, there is no doubt the events of September, especially the tsunami which killed 143 people, tops the list.
September was an action-packed month. There was the controversial road switch, the $20million boat stuck on the reef in Apia and the Hotel Kitano fire.

Many people were and are still struggling to make ends meet.
The swine flu was scary. At least 138 Samoans were diagnosed with three people killed.

Happenings in April

Guinness World Record Travelers visit
Traveling Swiss couple, Emil and Liliana Schmid are Guinnes Book record holders, and they visited Samoa to extend their record to 163 countries visited.
But that is only part of an amazing story that started 24 and a half years ago for the couple and still continues.
What sets the couple apart and what has won them special recognition by the Guinness Book of record is where they always take their trusty Toyota land cruiser car where ever they go.
The Schmids and their 1982 FJ60 Toyota Land Cruiser have traveled 642 thousand kilometers – the most by any other couple. They have traveled around in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and now the Oceania.

Happenings in May

Swine flu
May was the swine flu month. All visitors to Samoa were tested at the airport as Samoa braced itself for the swine flu virus. There were men and women walking around Samoa with masks, an usual sight.
In the end, the disease killed three people. Over hundred Samoans were tested swine flu positive.

Happenings in June

Fagali’i airport returns
Four years after it was closed, Fagali’i Airport was back in business with international flights from Pago Pago served only by Polynesian Airlines. The airport was closed for safety reasons.

Happenings in September

Road switch
Samoa changed over to drive on the left side of the road after a long and criticized process.

Boat stranded worth $20m
The container ship, Forum Samoa II, stuck on the reef in Apia

Kitano fire

Apia landmark up in smoke
An electrical fault is one possible cause of the fire which destroyed iconic fale of the former Kitano Tusitala Hotel, now known as Tanoa Tusitala.
Bought by Tanoa Hotels Group July this year, the three fale were reduced to ashes within an hour by raging flames. All had just been renovated by the new owners.

Tsunami hits
Government officials and emergency agencies worked endless days and nights to deliver tents and water to stricken Aleipata, Siumu and Falealili residents hit hardest by the tsunami on September 29.

Happenings in December

Savaii – top of the list

Savaii is doing well and many hotels have a better occupancy than previous year despite of the many cancellations because of the tsunami.

Help us keeping the VISION of a great new Samoa…

Mats Loefkvist www.samoa-experience.com

Category: Samoa General | Tags: Samoa, Samoa General, Samoa hotels, Samoa tourism, Samoa travel, Western Samoa | Leave a Comment

Are We Making Progress? Author: Mats Dec 17

Moving around trying to get the Bigger Picture.

Recently a good friend from Canada, James Buffin felt the urge to come and make a contribution to Samoa with his documentary film making skills. He put in two weeks of his time plus all the expenses for airfares, transportation of camera equipment and accommodation to make a difference in helping the Samoan people to monitor the progress of rebuilding after the tsunami.

Tsunami Affected Family

Mr. Buffin is now back in Canada editing his material which soon will appear on this blog as video clips interviewing struggling business owners trying to rebuilding their hotels and beach fales.

After talking to 9 different affected hotel/resort businesses along the south coast we experienced very much the same concern and frustration by all of them.

Not enough government help.

Their main concern is that they have got no or very little help from the government to rebuild their lives and business. Almost all help they got came from private people who felt the necessity to make a contribution in rebuilding the beautiful beach areas with the so typical and popular Samoan beach fale.

With the private help, Fao Fao Beach Fales in Saleapaga has already built 4 fales on the beach and has a main building with restaurant soon compleated. They hope to be open for Christmas. Also with private funding, Taufua Beach Fales and Litia’s Beach Fales at Lalomanu have started to rearrange the damage beach area and will very soon have it back to what it looked before the disaster.

Sili and Tai, the owner of Taufua Beach Fales explained that they like their guests to return to a place that looks the same as before, like coming home…

Normal families, not having a previous business at the beach are not likely to return so fast. Up in the hills at their new location they are also waiting for their promised government help with house rebuilding, water and power. Although most people already have power installed in their temporary shelters, the water is still not there.

We need your skills!

To make things move faster, Habitat for Humanity New Zealand plans to ramp-up its involvement in Samoa in the New Year, as it helps the rebuilding effort. The organisation wants to recruit increased numbers of skilled New Zealand volunteers, to follow in the footsteps of the several dozen, who have already contributed to Samoa’s reconstruction.

Habitat NZ currently has two teams of 12 volunteers working in Samoa. One of the teams is located in the village of Lepa, which is home to the organisation’s Resource Centre, where prefabricated trusses, toilet and shower walls and other building parts are being made. The other team is stationed in the village of Lolomanu. The volunteers are being hosted by local communities and accommodated in church halls.

“If you have the skills they need and would like to spend two weeks in Samoa during 2010, working for a very good cause, then please visit the website at www.habitat.org.nz or call them on 0800 44 22 48, to find out more about what’s entailed,”

Mats Loefkvist http://www.samoa-experience.com

Category: Samoa beach | Tags: Accommodation in Samoa, Hotel Samoa, Samoa accomodation, Samoa beach, Samoa General, Samoa tourism, Samoan resorts | Leave a Comment

Samoa Get More Help for Tsunami Victims Author: Mats Nov 30

Cloths from Sweden,

We recently picked up 2 huge bags with cloths that came the whole way from Sweden. The swedish travel and tour agent “Tour Pacific” sent the bags with two of their clients. We were sure that they were happy to carry the big and heavy bags half around the world. The people in Samoa were at least very happy to receive the cloths. Among the cloths there were about 30 Swedish T-shirts in bright yellow and blue. We walked around town yesterday and we saw 2 kids with a swedish T-shirt.

tsunami2

tsunami9

Money from Australia and Europe,

More people have been donating money for Samoa. We got all together 3,200 Tala paid into our account from staff at “Intrepid Travel” in Australia plus from private people in Europe.

We decided to get the shopping done and filled the car with rice and canned fish (sorry, this is what the Samoans like most) and had it delivered to 16 different families.

As we are moving around in the affected areas, we realize that the progress of rebuilding is slow and we would like to see more organized efforts from the government to have villages cleaned up, businesses up and running and families getting one of the new buildings that was promised.

We will continue to add more reports about the progress inn a near future.

Mats www.samoa-experience.com

Category: Samoa General | Tags: Fale Samoa, Hotel Samoa, Samoa beach, Samoa facts, Samoa General, Samoa islands, Samoa people, Samoa tourism, Samoan resorts | Leave a Comment

Canadian Takes Action! Author: Mats Oct 28

Dear friends,

We have been overwhelmed by all the private help provided by families and friends, former guests and supporters. Looking at all the help from all these fantastic people, you know that the would is not a bad place at all. Unfortunately the news and the media is mostly interested in negative news which affects all humanity in a very negative way. If we focus on good, good things will happen. Thanks a million to all of you that have helped or are still helping Samoa.

Below is a friend of mine that took an initiative in Canada. The Samoa Observer Newspaper got to know about it and wrote the following story…

Mats www.samoa-experience.com

By Alana Lojek, South Shore Clipper

After learning about the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Samoa on September 29, a St. Margaret’s Bay man has taken aid relief into his own hands.

James (Jamie) Little, who runs a travel company in Hubley, has a personal connection to the tiny island-nation in the South Pacific Ocean. He visited the “extraordinary island” — which is approximately the same size and population as Cape Breton — two years ago and developed a strong liking for the “absolutely phenomenal place.”

When he heard about the effects of the 8.3 magnitude earthquake, which killed over 180 people and displaced thousands, he decided to spring into action. After talking to a Swedish friend of his who runs the Virgin Cove resort on Samoa, Mr. Little posted an ad on Kijiji seeking emergency supplies, like tarps, cookware, sandals, and first aid kits.

He received a number of calls from people wanting to donate items. He also shopped thrift stores in search of clothing and supplies, and bought tarps himself. Then, along with his two little boys, Mr. Little loaded up a large box with all the aid items he had collected.

The kids “had so much fun filling up the box,” he says, which he then mailed by air (for $450!) to Apia. He says he has been driven to do whatever he could for the residents who have “lost everything,” and also wanted “to send a good message to my kids.”

0000000011_stuck

Mr. Little says he initially wanted to make a cash donation to the Canadian Red Cross, but decided against it when he learned the funds would go into the general program, and not specifically to the Samoan disaster. With the similarly-timed tragic disasters in the Philippines

and Indonesia, he was worried Samoa would be overlooked. Although neighboring American Samoa, which was also hard-hit, falls under the protection of the United States, Samoa itself does not.

In addition to corresponding with the UN Ambassador for Samoa in New York, Mr. Little contacted Federal MP Geoff Regan to inquire about Canadian government assistance. He learned, however, that the government is unable to provide support unless Samoa officially requests it, as it could be seen as a sign of disrespect.

At this point, he is waiting to see what will happen as far as relief is concerned, but says over the next month he might hold a bottle drive or a clothing drive for the people there. “Now it’s at the point where they have to rebuild, like rebuilding a house after a fire,” he observes.

The main message he would like to convey is for tourists, primarily from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the UK, “to keep on going” to Samoa, a tiny place which has “personally affected” him in such a positive way.
Anyone interested in learning how they can help can email James Little at: jral@eastlink.ca .

Category: People, Samoa General | Tags: Samoa, Samoa facts, Samoa tourism, Visit Samoa, Western Samoa | One Comment

Independent Celebration in Samoa Author: Mats Jun 01

long-boats One of the highlights of the Independent Celebration (June 02) each year is the Fautasi Race (long boat). The harbor is always crowded with people waiting to see the boats with 52 crew members crossing the finish line in front of “Aggie Grays Hotel”.

Some ninety six men of Lepea village are wasting no time in getting themselves prepared for the upcoming Independence Day fautasi race next Monday.

Lepea is one of the villages who have submitted two longboats for the upcoming race, namely Fetu Afiafi and La o Samoa II and are not taking this competition lightly. Captain of Fetu Afiafi, Siu Aoelua says 90 percent of his team are new rowers with last year’s rowers allocated to their newly built boat La O Samoa II.

The rowers of both boats have been in camp for two weeks and have had a busy training schedule with a 3am road run followed by rowing practices before breakfast. They have been doing weights mainly concentrating on upper body strength.

Let’s hope that they are all doing well.

Category: Sports in Samoa | Tags: Samoa people, Samoa tourism, Sports in Samoa | Leave a Comment

Tourist Travel Behavior have changed Author: Mats Mar 27

malolo When I got into the hotel business in Samoa about 12 years ago, it was common to go to the capital Apia for at least 2 or 3 nights to collect information about the country and make further travel plans around the islands.

If you were one of these early traveller to Samoa you probably would find me at the airport asking you if you need an accommodation. Back then many people travelled without knowing where to go when they arrived and as many of us knew about that, we were there to offer what we got.

Today things looks much different and the reason is the Internet. Almost everyone make their travel plans outside of Samoa and will be able to go from website to website and check out what it looks like before they arrive. The new trend is to go straight to the beach and not to the capital Apia as before. Most beach Resorts have their own pick up service and someone will be waiting with a sign with your name on.

People do still go to Apia but sometimes just for the day for shopping and then back to the resort again. Although Samoa has great beaches we also have lots of interesting things around the town aria. If you would like to explore the food or flea Market plus the excellent night life you should plan for a few nights in Apia. If you like to play Golf we do have two 18 holes golf courses close to town or why not visit the former home of the famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson. As there are many good hotels in the town area but not enough long staying tourists, you will be able to get a good deal on the accommodation as well.

Whatever you are after you should know that we only have three rules to follow:

Slow down and enjoy the small things in life.
If you really feel like doing anything, then do it.
Return to rule number one.

Have a look at our hotels available on: http://www.samoa-experience.com

Category: Apia, Travel | Tags: Samoa accommodation, Samoa General, Samoa tourism, Samoa travel | 5 Comments

Hotels come and go Author: Mats Mar 15

traditional-bungalow During the years many new Hotels and Beach Fales (huts) have been coming and going. Huts have been built on the beach and when the work is finished the owner will sit back and wait for the tourists. After a few weeks without a guest they take the bus to Apia to make a complaint to the Tourist Authority, why nobody is coming their way.

After a few years in the business we know that it takes a bit more than that to get established. Although Tourism is the number one revenue earner in Samoa there is still very little knowledge about what is required to make a hotel profitable and working. The ones who have been around for some time knows that you have to hang in there with both hands and feet to survive. We do what we can, usually with very little money, to raise the quality and improve the experience for our visitors. Unfortunately we sometimes get tourists to Samoa that think that accommodation and food should be almost for free although we pay more for our food shopping than you would do in New Zealand and Australia.

One very good thing is that we are willing to learn what we can do better and improve, so please let us know and give us your comments.

By the way, Have you booked your hotel yet? If not, just go to: http://www.samoa-experience.com

Category: Samoa accommodation | Tags: Accommodation in Samoa, Accommodation Samoa, Hotel Samoa, Samoa accommodation, Samoa General, Samoa hotels, Samoa resorts, Samoa tourism, Samoan food, Visit Samoa | One Comment

Travel on the Right or Wrong side? Author: Mats Mar 07

car-travel Have we been blessed or are we heading for big trouble when the Government of Samoa has decided to switch over from driving on the right side to the left side of the road? This change will take place in the beginning of September this year and we can just hope it will be a smooth one.

Today almost all cars have left hand steering and until recently all right hand steering cars were banned. Today it is the other way around which is the reason that most car dealers haven’t sold a car for a year.

Sometimes it is really questionable if such an action is justified when the World and Samoa has economical problems and when knowing that the change over in September will cost many many millions of Tala. We just hope that the Government has a very good reason for this action.

Category: Car rental | Tags: Car rental, Samoa tourism, Samoa travel, Visit Samoa | One Comment

Opportunity Season in Samoa Author: Mats Feb 07

rica_waterfall The Season from December – March has often been called the rainy season or wet season and many visitors have decided not to go to Samoa because of the weather. The truth is that we have fantastic weather during this time and most rain comes during the night. The wind is less strong which makes it slightly warmer if you go inland. Most of our visiting guests like to sit right on the beach were it is nice and cool always.

I have heard people say, lets go to Fiji or Cook island because there is no rainy season. The fact is, they have exactly the same climate and weather, there is only one difference – they newer call it “The Rainy Season”.

From Now on lets call it “The Opportunity Season” which it truly is. We have lower rates on all flights, hotels and car rentals, it is less crowded if you like to go golfing on one of our 3 Golf Courses, rent a car and go exploring the living culture on the island or just spend the time on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

You should take a look at the low air fares from Polynesian Blue or Air New Zealand during this time. Check out our accommodation deals for all our hotels on our www.samoa-experience.com website.

See you soon in Samoa, the island of Opportunity….

Sunny Greetings

Mats

Category: Samoa General, Travel | Tags: Accommodation in Samoa, Samoa, Samoa accommodation, Samoa beach, Samoa General, Samoa shopping, Samoa tourism, Samoa travel, Visit Samoa | Leave a Comment

Don’t Leave Home Without your Lonely Planet Guide Book Author: Mats Feb 02

rica_oscar_beach1 We are happy to let you know that you now can get your Lonely Planet Guide Book directly from Amazon.com on our “Shop” site (see link at the top of this site). The Lonely planet has truly proven to be what they say “A Survival Kit” which is used in almost all countries in the World.

Don’t leave home without it!

Category: Travel | Tags: Hotel Samoa, Samoa accommodation, Samoa accomodation, Samoa facts, Samoa hotels, Samoa islands, Samoa shopping, Samoa tourism, Samoa travel, Travel, Visit Samoa | Leave a Comment

What and where is Samoa? Author: Mats Jan 31

paupau

Travel to Samoa!

I like to start to introduce Samoa to you in a more official way with all the facts and details about our country and culture to make you have a greater understanding where we are coming from.

This cover all aspects like culture, politics, geography, economics, demographics and sports. I need to have a closer look myself as I am not sure I know all this although I live here.

Please go to the following page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa (link will open in a new window)

Category: Samoa General | Tags: Fale Samoa, Samoa, Samoa culture, Samoa facts, Samoa General, Samoa islands, Samoa people, Samoa spiritual, Samoa tourism, Samoa travel, Sports in Samoa, Visit Samoa | One Comment

People Author: Mats Jan 24

Please make a comment about people you met in Samoa that made a difference to you.

Category: People | Tags: Samoa, Samoa accommodation, Samoa food, Samoa hotels, Samoa language, Samoa people, Samoa tourism, Samoa travel | 3 Comments

Hello World! Author: Mats Jan 18

Make a Difference in The World!

It is time to show the world where Samoa is. I like YOU to step forward and share your personal experience about Samoa, whatever it is, with many people that are longing for information from a normal person like you and me (not a travel agent or a brochure).

Samoa need your help. Our problem is that we have so much to offer but not too many people knows about it. This can be good or bad. The fact is that many people are longing to have a work to support their families and if we can make the tourist industry develop in an enlightened way the growth can be very healthy. You can make a huge difference to Samoa and the South Pacific by telling the truth and also helping to spread the word to family and friends.

My job is to bring people together and you take it from there. Please make sure you use your own website, blog or your favorite social media (like Facebook, Twitter etc) to post a link to us. This will help us enormously.

Website: http://www.samoa-experience.com

This blog: http://samoa-experience.net

Please pick a topic below and start making your comments.

Thanks again for all your support.

Mats

Category: Samoa General | Tags: Samoa, Samoa accommodation, Samoa facts, Samoa hotels, Samoa islands, Samoa tourism, Samoa travel, Visit Samoa, Western Samoa | 10 Comments

Accommodation Author: Mats Jan 18

Please add anything about our hotels, resorts and beach fales in Samoa

Category: Samoa accommodation | Tags: Accommodation in Samoa, Accomodation in Samoa, Hotel Samoa, Samoa, Samoa accommodation, Samoa accomodation, Samoa hotels, Samoa resorts, Samoa tourism, Samoa travel | 3 Comments

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