The Samoa Bureau of Statistics' most recent data on recorded international arrivals for January this year shows a 31.8 per cent decrease from December 2023 and an 18.5 per cent increase over a comparable month of the previous year.

The corresponding year with similar figures is 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic hit which reveals its impact on visitor numbers between 2021 and 2022.

Overall visitor numbers for January stood at 14,520 revealing a decrease of 35.5 per cent over the previous month of December 2023 and an increase of 17.8 per cent over the corresponding month of January 2023.

Visitors, including those transiting, accounted for the majority of all arrivals, with 6,491 for females and 6,146 for males.

Those who traveled for business or conference meetings reported 567 guests, whilst those who came for sports reported only 21.

As usual, the Oceanic region accounted for 85.7 per cent of all visitors, with America coming in second with 7.1 per cent. Europe had the lowest proportion, 2.0 per cent, while Asia claimed a share of 4.6 per cent.

According to the most recent figures, New Zealand continues to lead in tourist arrivals by country of usual residence, accounting for 45.2 per cent of total visitors (6,561). Australia came in second, with a distant 29.1 per cent share (4,232).

It shows that Air New Zealand had the highest share of passengers to Samoa with a total of 8,646, followed by Fiji Airways with a 20.7 per cent share which is equivalent to 4,266 passengers.

On the other hand, Virgin Australia brought in 10.1 per cent (2,081 passengers) of total arrivals while Samoa Airways and Qantas recorded shares of 8.7 per cent (1,788) and 8.2 per cent (1,694) respectively.

Of the total number of international visitors to Samoa, the majority of them reported staying in private accommodation or with families and relatives. However, 26.2 per cent stayed in hotels and motels during their visit to Samoa.

International arrival statistics are collected on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.