Samoa Airways adds much needed boost to tourism growth

The Samoa Tourism Exchange has afforded national carrier, Samoa Airways numerous opportunities to pursue in a bid to support tourism development.

Samoa Airways took part in the STE which saw many players from the travel and hospitality industry converge on Apia for three days last week.

Samoa Airways was the official carrier for the STE and provided support in this area to the Samoa Tourism Authority, which coordinated the event. 

This enabled the participation of many executives from travel companies such as Flight Centre, Helloworld, House of Travel, Expedia, STA Travel and others.

“We value our partnerships with the Samoa Tourism Authority, the tourism industry and international travel trade and are constantly engaging with them to see what their needs are, and how we can respond or meet those needs”, said Tupuivao Seiuli Alvin Tuala, CEO for Samoa Airways.

The STE has become a popular event, bringing together the sellers and buyers of tourism products and services, as well as travel product and contracting managers from a number of source markets in a business-to-business setting. 

It provided the ideal platform for Samoa Airways to meet with a number of companies. 

Discussions revolved around opportunities where Samoa Airways would be made available as a supplier of flights to these travel brands’ customers and market segments.

Tupuivao emphasised that “it’s crucial for the National Carrier to be actively involved in the travel distribution channel and now that Samoa Airways is available in the Global Distribution System, the Airline is in a strategic position to work hand-in-hand with the industry and trade”.

Following the STE, Samoa Airways is now in the process of developing commercial agreements with these companies. 

The ensuing partnerships will support the development of Samoa holiday packages and inbound tourism. 

On the fringe of the STE, Samoa Airways was also invited to speak at the Samoa Chamber of Commerce’s April members meeting.

For the company, this was a great opportunity to update the wider business community about developments to date, including those areas of particular interest to businesses such as freight and extra baggage, inflight products such as business class, the possibilities around a loyalty programme and airline partnerships.

Samoa Airways acknowledged the role of the private sector and thanked the Chamber for the opportunity and the support of its Members. 

“The Chamber as a collective is a significant consumer of air services and cargo and I am particularly pleased that Samoa Airways has been able to release to market products which cater to the needs of the Members”, said Tupuivao.

Samoa Airways looks set to continue to make headway into and add a much needed boost to combined tourism and wider industry development efforts, both locally and globally.

 

Photo supplied