Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.This year’s Samoa Tourism Exchange (S.T.E.) has proven to be a real hit for local industry members who used the two-day opportunity to market their businesses to an international audience.
According to the S.T.E. website, the Exchange is an annual event where tourism stakeholders come together to discuss important topics and tools relating to tourism development.
“It is organised by the Government through the Samoa Tourism Authority,” the site says.
“S.T.E. 2014 will once again bring together the Fa'a Samoa Roadshow for International Travel Agents and the Samoa Tourism Industry Conference for Samoa-based operators.” Ieti Sanerivi, from Tailua’s Beach Fales in Manase, said the exchange was just what his family’s small business needed.
“This is actually the first time we found out about it and the first time we have been at something like this, which is really neat for us,” he said.
“From our point of view this is what we really needed, it is just the publicity and being aware of what is really out there for us. “In terms of drawing (tourism) markets not only to the country but to our property in Savaii.
“It has been really good, so thumbs up to S.T.A. (Samoa Tourism Authority) for all their help and all the things that they have considered that will benefit everyone.”
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.He said the highlights of the Exchange were not only being able to network with the buyers and the people from abroad, but also being able to meet locally with the stakeholders and the resorts here in Upolu.
“So it has been really good,” said Mr Sanerivi.
“Just building these relationships and that partnership…(and) being able to market our place that was the highlight of this whole exchange.”
Mr. Sanerivi said what his business offers to tourists is a Samoan lifestyle experience.
“That is getting their hands dirty and doing the umu, not just sitting back and watching people doing it,” he said.
“We tell the tourists ‘they (the locals) have been doing that for quite a while but we want you to come and join us to prepare dinner, because if you are not going to help, you are not going to eat’.
“That is just the humour we like to throw in and they ask ‘can I have a try scraping breadfruit and taro?’
“Also we do farm tours as well…so it is taking them out to the farm, the plantation and showing them how we cultivate the land.
“And then they share their ideas, which is really good, which just elevates our experience as business owners.
“And they take something back with them that real Samoa life experience.”
He said he was really happy with the way the S.T.A. is marketing Samoa to the world. “Samoa is out there,” he said.
“It was surprising I found out there was an S.T.A. office in the UK and Europe – that was pretty neat, I never knew that.
“We are all over the place.”
Mr. Sanerivi said the S.T.A. is doing what it can to market Samoa to the world and that it was up to the operators to hold up their end and provide a great Samoan experience for the tourists. That is “making sure the standards are up there,” he said.
“S.T.A. is doing a great job and just being able to find out about S.H.A. (Samoa Hotel Association) and what they have to offer - the trainings - so we give the customer service people have come to expect. “It has been a really good experience for us.”
Nanise Tolovae from Polynesian Explorer said the S.T.E. was great for the company she works for.
“We got to have lots of meetings with a range of different agents from different places and catch up with existing partners,” she said. There were “also some new opportunities too.
“We had a good representation of our New Zealand and Australian wholesalers and some new prospects from China as well, so we got some good meetings in.
“We need an increase in numbers that is why we have put a lot into this day.
“So for us this is an important show, we like to have people come here and particularly for our Europe agents… to have them come here that is really good.”
According to the S.T.E. website, the Exchange was initiated in 2008 and has expanded to become a national tourism event.
“The industry stakeholders from all around Samoa are given the opportunity to exhibit their products and establishments to buyers from New Zealand and Australia,” according to the site.
“This year, S.T.E. will expand even further to include other Pacific Islands.”
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