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Twenty of Australia’s top product managers and senior agents recently returned from the Fa’a Samoa Roadshow in Samoa. They were joined by their contemporaries from New Zealand and Europe. The roadshow opened with a ceremonial welcome that consisted of traditional songs and dancing as well as the spectacular Siva Afi or Fire Knife dance as well as a Tatau (tattoo) demonstration from the locals at the Samoa Tourism Authority fale. Opening the roadshow with his speech, The Hon Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi shared his futuristic vision of the tourism industry in Samoa, stressing the importance for tourism operators to embrace new technology and to ride the wave of the future with his message of working “on target, online and on time.” Agents then moved on to the newly opened Conference Centre for the Fa’a Samoa Roadshow where the Australians met the property managers and tourism operators to discuss current contracts and sign up new ones. Attendees received property updates, were introduced to new properties and accommodation options and met with property managers both on the islands of Upolu and Savai’i. Attendees received property updates, were introduced to new properties and accommodation options and met with property managers both on the islands of Upolu and Savai’i. A total of 30 tourism operators were on show, from waterfront resorts to the traditional Samoan fales dotted along the coast as well as car rental companies and in-bound tourist operators. Adele Leathan, from Samoa Tourism Authority Australia says that while Samoa has much to offer all markets, a focused approach on niches is the easiest way to get visitor numbers up in a short period of time. “We wanted to empower our agents and product managers with the necessary tools to sell Samoa – that our island home is more than just a ‘flop and drop’ destination. “Our agents saw firsthand Samoa’s newly opened Conference Centre in Apia for the MICE market, the state of the art sporting facilities ideal for training tours, experienced fishing and diving tours, inspected amenities for water sports,golf as well as picture perfect locations for weddings and honeymoons,” says Adele. The agents also experienced the various nature related activities that Samoa has to offer. “We took them to the Papasee’a Sliding Rocks, the picturesque To Sua Trench and the magnificent Taga Blowholes in Savaii. We also took the agents to go swimming with the turtles – and I can guarantee that all our guests will be going home with memories to last a lifetime and hopefully some fire in their bellies to sell Samoa to their clients” says Adele. |
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