Samoa Tourism Industries Alliance continues to build
The Samoa Tourism Industries Alliance (STIA) has held its third meeting for 2016. Established in 2012, STIA looks at ways to further develop the tourism sector, with members including both the private sector and the government, while the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) as the secretariat. STIA held its recent meeting at the end of July for both Upolu and Savaii.
The STIA Chairperson, Ms. Adele Kruse, believes the initiative is crucial for the development of tourism in Samoa.
“STIA is a gathering of people to come together to work on building tourism in Samoa,” Said Ms. Kruse.
“This initiative was the brainchild of our former Minister for tourism and also the board of STA, with the objective of bring ing the stakeholders in tourism together, those who are registered with an interest in tourism.
“STA is the secretariat and as the leading tourism body to government it is very important that we get STA involved in what we’re doing as we in the private sector cannot work in silo, but need to communicate to the government what we think should be done to assist with the building of tourism.”
Ms. Adele further added, “we have been working hard with the government to look at aviation policies as well as the access into Samoa so we can have more visitors to Samoa, and we have increased the number of rooms in our country because of what government has done to improve a way for investors to bring their businesses here.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Tourism Authority, Papali’i Matatamali’i Sonja Hunter spoke during the meetings atbout the overarching development of Tourism in Samoa and what better ways the Government and Private Sector can continue their partnership.
The STA, Manager of Marketing and Promotions, Dwayne Bentley delivered a presentation on the Tourism Marketing Work-plan for Financial Year 2016/2017, as well as a presentation by the STA, Manager of Planning and Development, Faamatuainu Suifua Faamatuainu on the Future Outlook and Planned Activities for Financial Year 2016/2017.
The STIA meeting for the Savaii members was held at Jet Over Hotel, while the meeting in Upolu was held at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows in Apia.
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