Savai’i tourism operators are hoping to take a leaf out of NZ Māori Tourism’s books which places an emphasis on cultural heritage and the need to protect and promote it.

That’s the view of the Samoa Hotel and Hospitality Association (SHHA) President and Vaimoana Resort Managing Director Tupa'i Saleimoa Vaai, as the big island welcomed a delegation from NZ Māori Tourism led by their Chief Executive Officer Pania Tyson-Nathan.

Tupa'i told the Samoa Observer in an interview before the welcome formalities that the group of Maori tourism members is a formalised association by the Government of New Zealand in their bid to revitalise the Maori culture as part of tourism.

"We are basically doing the same thing, if I think of Savai’i's drive to talk about our cultural heritage as part of our uniqueness in the world," he said. 

"Savai’i Tourism is embarking on activities that revive traditions and I know that that is what the Maori Tourism is also focusing on.” 

Tupa'i then made reference to the notion that Samoa's culture is very much alive and part of daily life. 

"We have a living culture. People come and see us living it, simple," he said. 

Tourism operators in Savai’i welcomed the NZ Māori Tourism CEO and her delegation on Monday. It was an intimate gathering that included representatives of NZ Māori Tourism officials and operators.

Representatives of the Savai’i Samoa Tourism Association (SSTA) together with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt gifted a traditional siapo made by a member of the association, Faapito of Siapo Demonstration in Vailoa Palauli. 

The occasion of two intertwined cultural groups meeting for the purpose of sharing cultural heritage stories made a memorable night on the big island.  

Māori Tourism has been on a tour of Savai’i and Samoa as part of a family with Samoa Tourism Authority and joined the Samoa tourism Industry representatives on Tuesday night in Upolu.

Meanwhile, the SHHA President has expressed concern at the economy of Samoa as data released recently by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics showed that the largest number travellers flying into Samoa since the borders opened on 1 August 2022 come under the Visiting Friends and Relatives category.

"I am a little concerned about the economy in Samoa. I think the statistics from the influx of flights would show that most of the people are Visiting Friends and Relatives," Tupa'i said. 

"The tourism industry needs real tourists and that is not a big part of the influx so far.

"Yes, it is good that there's busy rental car businesses, the restaurants are busy and people are building houses, it remains to be seen whether the much anticipated boost for tourism will eventuate any time soon.”

Tupa'i then pointed to the tourism potential of both the Māori and Samoa and emphasised how Samoans are living the culture.

"Unlike the Maoris, we don't have to make a big noise about our culture because this is how life is here,” he said. “Samoans have had a living culture for years and it is what makes us unique so we have what they want.

“But they have the money that we don't have so we are planning on working together so that we can help each other.”