The new minister for Tourism, Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa was officially welcomed by the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) on Friday with Fiame revealing that she is eyeing specific policies for the sector.

In her keynote remarks, the Prime Minister emphasised that for years, the sector always had an authority but there was no exact home for policy making.

This is something she will be looking into for her first activity as the new Tourism Minister.

"The S.T.A is undeniably significant as it is one of the main sources of income for the country's economy," she said.

"As alluded to by Reverend, I became an M.P in 1985, worked within the Cabinet in 1991, but I noticed and knew back then with the sector that we always had an authority with the purpose of marketing Samoa.

"But I can also say that there was no tourism policy at home. We just know who is being appointed as the Minister but that's just about it because this is the sector that is well-known for tourism.

"But in other policy-making which is known to have developed the sector is sort of practiced differently in the government and I think that might be (my) first work, to see where the policy-making sits for the sector aside from the old roles and responsibilities as well as policies of S.T.A which have always been there under the law."

Fiame takes over from Toesulusulu Cedric Schuster who was the Minister for Tourism from 2021 and is still the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

Fiame also clarified to her new sector that the reshuffling of Cabinet ministers did not mean there were lapses by each minister in their former portfolios.

But instead, it is the government's goal to strengthen and improve sectors that need boosting assistance in order to develop and thrive.

"We all have our own calling and I have been appointed as your new Minister but that doesn't mean I do this job alone. We all play our own parts and this sector can't achieve its goal if we don't work together, especially the employees because this is the strength of the sector," she added.

"The job belongs to the government and whatever sector you work at, the job is passed on to the other and we rely on our time to serve and what we have to offer.

"The goal is to improve and enhance the service and provide clarity on which paths we should take going forward. 

"I have also shared with Pativaine (C.E.O.) and in time I will also meet with the steering committee, but for your new minister, it's always good to observe first and listen incase someone overdoes it and affects our work but it's good to have enough time to work together on looking at where we should be heading."

The event was held at the S.T.A Fale, the staff, Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.), Pativaine Petaia Tevita, the S.T.A. Board Members and the reigning Miss Samoa, Moemoana Safa'ato'a Schwenke welcomed their new minister in a traditional way minus the ava ceremony as requested by Fiame herself.

The S.T.A staff concluded their welcoming ceremony with a prayer and a Taualuga (concluding dance) as part of their traditional welcome, followed by a get together for Fiame and her new staff.