Health and safety training, key part of travel-ready preparations

COVID-19 and its immense impact on tourism at the regional and global level is the key driver in the tourism sector’s efforts to ensure employees across the industry are adequately protected. 

As Samoa continues to receive repatriation flights and with travel ready preparations for a travel bubble underway, the Authority had identified the need to deliver a Health, Safety and Disinfectant training to up skill employees on the necessary health measures and protocols as well as ensure the sector is fully supported through the provision of cleaning equipment, substances and PPEs (personal protection equipment). 

The NZ Government through the Samoa Tourism Growth Partnership have assisted the Authority through the provision of PPE’s and cleaning equipment and funding for this important training for the sector to the value of approximately $65,000.

The assistance is part of the NZ Government’s ongoing commitment to support the tourism sector. It will assist the industry’s efforts and preparations in anticipation of borders reopening and help instil consumer confidence in travelling to Samoa.

“Operator training is a critical component of our travel ready toolkit” said Faamatuainu Lenatai Suifua, STA CEO. “This is a very timely development especially as regional travel bubbles take shape and one which will support our collective efforts to ensure we are in a position to once again welcome and host visitors and for that we acknowledge the support of our development partner” added Faamatuainu. 

The first phase of the training in collaboration with the Ministry of Health has already been executed with plans for a second phase of the training for the industry as we draw closer to the re-opening of our borders.

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