The Samoa Government has cut ties with a Hong Kong-registered travel company that organised direct charter flights from China which brought in hundreds of Chinese tourists early this month.

The decision by the Government to cut off ties with Travel Focus (Hong Kong) Ltd was revealed by Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa during her ministerial statement to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday morning. 

Fiame for the first time addressed the country on some of the issues involving some of her Cabinet Ministers, which included the American Samoa registered vessel Kite Runner and the direct charter flights from China.

Speaking about the partnership between Travel Focus company and local firm, Samoa Royal Tours – which is registered under the name of one of the children of the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt – Fiame said there were a lot of issues that were raised about the partnership. 

For this reason, Fiame said the Samoa Government has now decided to cut off ties with the Hong Kong-registered company. 

Fiame's ministerial statement to the House was the first agenda on the Parliament's Order Paper for the day before the floor was opened to the Members to debate the 2023/2024 Budget. 

This is a developing story....