SAMOA: Tourist Operators And Government Agencies Receive Surf Life Saving Training

Accommodation providers, Tourist Operators and Government Agencies in Upolu utilised the 2017 Surf Life Saving (SLS), CPR and First Aid training course by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA).

The aim of the training is to improve water safety response within the Accommodation providers and tourist sites and was carried out last week at the Samoa Tourism Authority Headquarters in Apia.

There were more than 10 participants at the training with participants from Hotel Elisa, Taumeasina Island Resort, Papaseea Sliding Rocks, Lalotalie River Retreat, St Therese Retreat & Accommodation, Fire and Emergency Services Authority, and Samoa Tourism Authority.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Tourism Authority, Papali’i Sonja Hunter congratulated everyone and encouraged all to utilise their new learnt skills.

This training is very important to the Samoa Tourism Authority and to the whole of Samoa, because it saves lives as it is the first aid for emergencies.”


Said Papali’i. “I encourage you all to utilise the skills that you’ve attained within your respective tourism development areas and also within your villages and homes.”

Papali’i also acknowledged the expertise by the Trainer, Australian Voluteer, Ms Morgan Knowles and STA’s Product and Development team.

Trainings were carried out by the STA Planning and Development team, with technical expertise from a Certified Australian Surf Life Saving Trainer through the Australian Volunteers for International Development Programme.

STA is currently at its 5th year of implementing Surf Rescue Training Programme. The programme is designed to up skill industry members with Surf Life Saving Techniques which include Basic First Aid, CPR and Water Rescue training.

STA has been offering refresher courses for staffthat had completed SLS courses in the previous years.

Surf Life Saving in Samoa has been in the development stages since 2009.

In response to the 2009 tsunami, in May 2010 the Government of Samoa and the Government of Australia commenced a program known as the Volunteer Emergency Response Team - Water Safety Programme (VERT-WSP).

The volunteers involved with VERTWSP were trained in Bronze Medallion Courses and to strengthen this capacity. AusAID at the time, approved a three year program, where two Australian Volunteers would be mobilized each year from 2011 to 2013 and hosted by
the Samoa Tourism Authority to deliver training programs to tourist resort staff and local residents.

To ensure the sustainability of the SLS Program in Samoa, STA committed in recruiting volunteers so that trainings can be continued for the future.


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SAMOA: Seabreeze Resort Wins Samoa’s Leading Resort 5 Years Consecutively

The boutique Seabreeze Resort, Samoa has won ‘Samoa’s Leading Hotel’ for the fifth consecutive year, at the 24th annual World Travel Awards 2017 held in Shanghai, China.

Voted on by travel and tourism professionals worldwide, this red-carpet event is considered the Oscars of the tourism industry and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.

Arriving back to Samoa in the beginning of this week after receiving the award, the Seabreeze Resort owners, Mr Chris and Mrs Wendy Booth were welcomed in a ceremony held at the Samoa Cultural Village Fale of the Samoa Tourism Authority and congratulated by the Prime Minister, Hon.Tuilaepa Fatialofa Lupesoliai Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, who acknowledged the achievements by this resort at his village of Aufaga.

We are all indeed very proud of Seabreeze’s achievement which we can put squarely on the shoulders of the management, owners and staff of Seabreeze. Said Tuilaepa.

Tourism will continue to be the mainstay of Samoa’s economy, abd the government will continue to invest heavily on the facilities and infrasturucture to ensure that we will continue to develop and grow our industry in Samoa for the benefit of getting more and more jobs for our young ones as well as ensuring the security of market for our fishermen and for our farmers who need to work hard to provide the food to feed the people that come to visit our shores.

So on behalf of the government, I congratulate the management of Seabreeze and also the staff.

Tuilaepa also acknowledged the support of the village of Aufaga and its council, for their contribution in working
together with the Resort.

The owners of Seabreeze Resort, Mr Chris and Mrs Wendy Booth thanked the Prime Minister and acknowledged the support of their staff.

We have a philosophy at Seabreeze where we say ‘Friends who play together stay together’ and that’s how we run the
resort, as one huge big family. Said Wendy.

Winning our 5th consecutive award since 2013 truly is a reflection on our dedicated staff and team who work diligently to create a beautiful paradise for couples where they can relax, forget any worries and just enjoy the exquisite surrounds, cuisine, personal service, and genuine Samoan hospitality.

With our army of hand trained staff and a determination to exceed our guest’s expectations we will continue to create a
utopia for couples in our untouched Island paradise. Added Wendy.

The award winning 4.5 star Seabreeze Resort is gently nestled into a private secluded bay on Samoa’s famous south-east coast of Upolu.

The first ‘Genuine Adults Only’ resort in Samoa for guests 18 years and over, Seabreeze provides the ideal romantic
getaway for honeymooners and couples or those seeking luxury and intimacy.

SAMOA: Faleolo International Airport

Samoa’s Faleolo International Airport is undergoing a makeover and last week, the grand unveiling of Phase One of the refurbishment project took place with the completion of the departure terminal.

With an emphasis on crowd processing efficiency, technological upgrades, cleanliness and increased capacity, Faleolo's refurbishment is in line with the country’s mission to meet the growing demands of increasing passenger traffic and to improve infrastructure.

The airport refurbishment is a three phase development.

Phase One is the upgrade and expansion of the departures building. Phases Two and Three will be the upgrade and development of a new Arrivals Terminal and public areas. The last two phases are set to be completed by the second half of 2017.

New aerobridges will also feature at the completion of the project and as the new arrivals hall is built, a temporary terminal, now in operation, will be used to cater for all inbound flights into Faleolo.

Sonja Hunter of Samoa Tourism Authority has expressed confidence in the project, welcoming the development as part of efforts towards the establishment of Samoa as a major hub for travel and trade in the South Pacific.

“The new airport is a fabulous representation of our country’s growth. Samoa is fast becoming a feature in many traveller’s bucket lists and an expansion to cope with increasing visitor arrivals will also promote an improved airport experience. It could not have come at a better time and we are ready for greater accessibility and for new carriers to come and consider Samoa as a new destination,” says Sonja.

Faleolo International Airport is expected to complete its final refurbishment phase by August 2017.

SAMOA: Beatiful Samoa Always Open For Business

Mother Nature’s playground received a spring cleaning over the weekend but the predicted
severity of Tropical Cyclone Amos failed to eventuate, with an unexpected thunder storm over
Samoa blowing the cyclone out to sea.

The sheer act of serendipity ensured the environmental serenity of Samoa. The weather bureau
predicted a strong tropical cyclone, and as the country bunkered down to prepare for the worst,
the miracle happened.

“We are proud of the response programs we have set in place for such events, and our
properties are all operational with minimal to no damage sustained. All guests are accounted
for. What was predicted to be a cyclone turned out to be nothing more than a summer storm."

“We are a proud and resilient nation, blessed by nature. It’ll take more than just a bit of rain to
shut our islands down,” says Samoa Tourism Authority CEO, Sonja Hunter.

Situation update:
• Business as usual
• Faleolo International Airport remains open with scheduled flights resuming today
• Minimal to no damage sustained to hotels and resorts. All major resorts and hotels remain
open and operational with all guests accounted for
• Water and electricity to the main islands are available
• Communication systems are all operational
• In parts of the country, water, electricity and communications have remained operational
throughout
• The Land Transport Authority, Samoa Water Authority and Electric Power Corporation repair
teams are out in the field repairing whatever damage was sustained and restoring access
• Road access around the country is possible

Those with bookings to Samoa are advised to contact their travel agent, accommodation
provider, tour operator and airline and to maintain their travel plans to Samoa.

“Tourism is the mainstay of the Samoan economy with many families depending on the industry
for their livelihoods. We are relying on your continued support,” added Sonja.