Samoa Tourism showcases at SPTE 2015

The freezing start to winter in multicultural Melbourne, Australia did not stop the Tourism Team from Samoa from promoting the destination and holiday offers/packages at the second annual South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2015 together with 15 other member countries of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO).

Following the successful inaugural SPTE in Auckland last year, more than 59 international tourism buyers, wholesalers and travel trade members from main key and emerging tourism Nations, that specialise in selling South Pacific Island tourism products, have now met in Melbourne and finalised deals with up to 80 sellers from across the South Pacific.

Samoa was represented to the Exchange by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA), Samoa Hotels Association (SHA), Insel Fehmarn Hotel, Return to Paradise Resort, Aga Reef Resort and Samoa Scenic Tours.

Australia is one of the most important source markets for not only the Pacific Region, but for Samoa. And the Chairman of the STA Board of Directors, Afoa Amituana’i Faleulu Mauli couldn’t agree more.

“I am very pleased that Samoa is participating in this well thought out and great event by SPTO in a well developed country like Australia, which is a major source market for Samoa.

“It’s been positive to see a great turn-out and a lot of interests shown by buyers from Australia and across the world about what Samoa has to offer as a sustainable tourism destination.” Said Afoa.

Samoa has been able to sell its tourism products through SPTE 2015 which offered its sellers opportunities such as:

• Access to up to 80 international wholesalers and tour operators enthusiastic about growing their business into the South     Pacific;
• Media and PR exposure through the SPTE media programme;
• Market intelligence and growth strategy feedback via pre-scheduled appointments; and
• Strengthening of network with travel and tourism partners from around the region.

The buyers in return were offered opportunities of:

• Direct marketing appointments with exhibitors representing Pacific Islands hotels/resorts, inbound tour operator, airline and other key tourism partners;
• In-depth product training;

• Strengthening partnership with key Pacific islands operators;
• Adding value to your participation at ATE and/or TRENZ 2015; and
• Most importantly, a means to help growing your business to the South Pacific.

Organised by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2015 was held on 19^th and 20^th June 2015 at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Center.

Samoa will commence its ‘Beautiful Samoa Roadshow’ from Melbourne on Tuesday the 23^rd of June, and in Brisbane on Wednesday the 24^th and finally in Sydney on Thursday the 25^th of June before more than 30 companies of the tourism private sector return home.