Samoa experienced a substantial uptick in international arrivals and visitor numbers in July 2024, according to the latest data released by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics on 2 September. 

The report highlights a marked increase in the number of arrivals and visitors overall compared to previous months and the same period last year.

In July 2024, Samoa welcomed a total of 24,596 international arrivals. This figure represents an 11.1 per cent increase over the 22,134 arrivals recorded in June 2024 and a 7.5 per cent rise from the 22,875 arrivals documented in July 2023. 

This upward trend indicates a robust recovery and growing interest in Samoa as a travel destination.

Of the total arrivals, 19,036 were categorized as visitors, marking a 17.9 per cent increase from June 2024's visitor count of 16,151 and a 10.2 per cent increase from July 2023's tally of 17,267 visitors. 

This surge in visitor numbers underscores a positive shift in tourism activity and economic momentum for Samoa's hospitality sector.

Most international travellers to Samoa in July 2024 arrived by air, constituting 93.3 per cent of total arrivals. In contrast, sea travel accounted for 6.7 per cent of the arrivals. 

This preference for air travel is reflected in the data, which shows that Air New Zealand led the charge with 10,191 passengers, representing 41.4 per cent of total arrivals. Fiji Airways followed with 5,259 passengers, holding a 21.4 per cent share, while Samoa Airways contributed 9.6 per cent with 2,373 passengers. 

Qantas and Talofa Airways also played significant roles, bringing in 2,110 (8.6 per cent) and 1,657 (6.7 per cent) passengers, respectively.

New Zealand remained the top source of visitors, accounting for 45.9 per cent of the total with 8,743 visitors. Australia was the second-largest contributor with 23.9 percent, or 4,554 visitors. The United States of America followed with 10.6 per cent (2,014 visitors), and American Samoa contributed 7.2 per cent, equivalent to 1,370 visitors.

The Oceanic region dominated visitor statistics, contributing 81.2 per cent of the total visitors. Meanwhile, visitors from America made up 10.7 per cent, Asia accounted for 4.2 per cent, and Europe represented the smallest share at 3.6 per cent.

The statistics were derived from immigration arrival and departure card forms completed by travellers at the two main points of entry in Samoa: Faleolo International Airport and Apia Wharf (Matautu Port), with additional data from Fagalii International Airport.