Big boost for Samoa’s tourism

The Prime Minister of New Zealand ended his three-day visit to Samoa with a pledge to boost the country’s tourism industry.

As part of his Pacific Mission, John Key met with Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, to discuss New Zealand’s future aid to Samoa.

Key’s visit to Samoa ended on a positive high for the country with his announcement of further funding to help boost Samoa’s tourism industry.

Key said New Zealand will spend almost US$900,000 US dollars towards upgrading important visitor attractions.

Dwayne Bentley, Marketing and Promotions Manager at Samoa Tourism Authority says the tourism industry was pleased to hear the news.

“It’s fantastic news, I mean in terms of increasing Samoa’s appeal as a visitor destination it bodes really well. I think that for us all, it’s just about, just that whole partnership. Just making sure that it does make a meaningful contribution to Samoa’s economic and social development.

During Key’s visit, the two prime ministers discussed New Zealand’s future aid to Samoa.

Key says the Pacific has the basis for very good economies but there’s a lot more work to be done.

“These are economies that have a variety of different challenges. So the real issue here is how can we make sure there are jobs for people to actually go to.”

Key says the government’s new Pacific ambassador, Shane Jones, will aim to find out where the best economic and development opportunities are and to ensure that jobs are created in those areas.

“We see through a variety of different forms, tens of millions of dollars spent here in Samoa alone. Probably our overall aid in general contribution to Samoa is probably thirty million dollars. We spent half of our entire aid budget in the Pacific.

“So it sort of strikes me that as the donors of that aid, we want to make sure we’re getting the maximum bang for our buck. And the most significant thing we can do outside of education for the people of the Pacific is make sure they have an economic base.

Tuilaepa has praised John Key’s financial support including nearly US$5 million towards preparations for hosting the Small Island States Development conference.

The event will be the biggest United Nations conference hosted this year with more than 3000 delegates attending from around the world.

Tuilaepa says he has great hopes for the benefits SIDS will bring to Samoa.

“We are hoping that with the hosting of the SIDS conference the whole world will come or the 190-odd members of the United Nations will send their delegates and with that kind of exposure we do hope that more and more visitors will come.