Growing Sustainable Tourism was the theme for the Samoa Tourism Forum (STF) 2017, which is in line with the emphasis by the United Nations to celebrate 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
Coordinated by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA), the Samoa Tourism Forum provides tourism business operators and the wider tourism sector, valuable insights and understanding about key issues which influence and shape tourism development in Samoa, the region and globe.
The Minister of Tourism, Sala Fata Pinati officially launched this annual Tourism Forum last week Friday.
“The theme for this year’s Forum aligns itself to the Samoa Pathway established at the UN SIDS 2014 held here in Samoa, where the Leaders recognized Sustainable Tourism as an important driver of SIDS (Small Island Developing States) sustainable economic growth, and agreed to take political and economic measures, to achieve sustainable tourism in partnership with development partners.” Said Sala.
“Sustainable Tourism is the platform that Samoa has chosen to establish and grow its various forms of tourism whether it be sports tourism, corporate tourism, agritourism, or leisure tourism.
“It is to ensure that it is tourism that is considerate of sustaining our environment, our culture, the tourism industry and the host community, and it has been identified by Government as a National Priority Strategy, for the Development of Samoa.”
Sala also spoke on the importance of ensuring the progressive establishment of a well-informed Sector through this Forum and other mediums of communication.
Three initiatives were launched - the Foundation and Philanthropy Fund for a Sustainable Samoa with assistance from UNDP and the Growth Partnership through assistance from the NZ Government; the Beautification Project of Growing Orchids with SROS and sponsored by the Government of Japan; and the launching of STA’s Corporate Website www.samoatourism.org.
Presentations delivered on the day were further discussed by all on specific topics such as Coordinating Sustainable Tourism, Samoa Tourism Growth Partnership, Samoa Aviation Landscape & Growing Tourism, Sustainable Tourism Development Project, Samoa Tourism Sector Plan Progress and other related topics.
The Samoa Tourism Forum 2017 was held at the Samoa Conference Centre at the TATTE Buidling in Apia.
Photo by Samoa Hotel Association Facebook Minister of Tourism, Sala Fata Pinati