The total International arrival statistics documented revealed a decrease of 25 per cent over the previous quarter (Oct-Dec 2024) and an increase of 3.5 per cent over the corresponding quarter of 2024.

As usual, air travel was the most preferred mode of travel to Samoa, representing 94.8 per cent of total arrivals, while those who arrived by sea accounted for the remaining 5.2 per cent.

A total of 34,421 visitors arrived for the quarter under review, revealing a decrease of 31.8 per cent over the previous quarter and also a decrease of 2.7 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024.

Visitors, including transit, made up the largest component of all arrivals with 30.9 per cent (16,281) recorded for females and 30.3 per cent (15,957) for males. Male and female returning residents made up 18.2 per cent (9,615) and 16.5 per cent (8,699) respectively of total arrivals while temporary residents made up 2.3 per cent (1,212) for males and 1.8 per cent (971) for females.

New Zealand remains the leading country in visitors’ arrival by country of usual residence accounting for 46.1 per cent or 15,883 of total visitors. Australia followed next with a distant 25.3 per cent share (8,715). USA recorded a share of 8.8 per cent (3,018) followed by American Samoa with a share of 4.5 per cent (1,552)

As usual, the Oceania region had the highest share of total visitors with 81.5 per cent, followed by America with nine per cent. Asia reported a share of 5.7 per cent while Europe reported the least share with 3.3 per cent

New Zealand, Australia, American Samoa, and the United States of America constituted 84.7 per cent of all visitors while other countries rounded up the remaining 15.3 per cent during the reference period.

Visitors who entered Samoa to visit friends and relatives accounted for 41 per cent of all visitors. Those who were here for holiday/vacations accounted for 40.9 per cent while those who travelled for business and conference made up 7.6 per cent of total visitors.

Visiting for other purposes accounted for 5.3 per cent while transients bound for other destinations and sports registered 4.5 and 0.8 per cent respectively.

Air New Zealand leads the way for arrivals by carriers during the reference period with a 45 per cent share (23,753 passengers) followed by Fiji Airways with a share of 25.4 per cent (13,411 passengers).

Samoa Airways recorded a 8.2 per cent share (4,329), Qantas had a share of 5.3 per cent (2,789) while Talofa Airways and Virgin Australia recorded shares of 5.1 per cent (2,708) and 5.1 per cent (2,699) respectively.