Positive feedback from a night market held last Friday has organisers excited about its future potential to boost the business and tourism sectors. 

A night market, which was previously a popular tourism-focused event three years ago, was held again last Friday from 3pm to 10pm and hosted by the Samoa Hotel Association (S.H.A.). 

S.H.A. President Tupa'i Saleimoa Vaai told the Samoa Observer that they are considering developing a premium night market event called the “waterfront night market”.

He said their goal is to try and create a festive event on the Apia waterfront and they will seek more corporate support for the concept.

"The night market event is not a new concept, it is widely used around a lot of tourism hotspots,” he said. 

“This is a great opportunity to try and test it out with our local people, hopefully when borders open up we'll have a night premium event for the waterfront.”

Booths were set up for the event last Friday at the Samoa Tourism Authority’s (S.T.A.) fale in Apia’s central business district and enjoyed the support of the caretaker Government including the Ministry of Police.

The event’s rising popularity amongst the tourism sector has led to its being established as an event held on the last Friday of every month. 

Last Friday's night market attracted 23 businesses with more unable to join due to being crowded out by the high demand for stalls.

Besides hoteliers, other attractions on offer included handicraft and gift shops, pastries and ice-cream booths as well as jumping castles for children.

Lava Hotel Sales Manager, Karleen Rasmussen, said last Friday’s event was an opportunity for everyone in the tourism sector to unite.

"The overall idea is to bring everyone in tourism together and Lava Hotel is part of that body,” she told the Samoa Observer.

“This is an opportunity to engage in the community and be part of the atmosphere of Apia.”

Roko’s Restaurant Chef, Horus Evans, was excited to see the success of the event last Friday.

"Having a free venue is amazing, thanks to [the] Samoa Tourism Authority, today we got to choose Italian seafood since it is an event,” he said.

“Hopefully it will get successful, if it is then we will see what happens from there.”

Apia residents enjoyed food, entertainment and shopping on Friday. 

"Most of the outpouring from social media as well has been really good in terms of the event,” Mr. Evans said. 

“It was a very good success, the support of our people was extraordinary so we thank everybody for making time out to help us."