Owners are hoping to draw locals to their side of Upolu island when the country marks White Sunday in October.

Auva’a Tapu, the Manager at Faofao Beach Fales in Saleapaga, Lepa, says business has been slow without tourists but they do receive the occasional day visitor.

“Most of what we have been doing is maintaining the fales and the beach but we do get the occasional day visitor... that usually happens on the weekends,” Mr. Tapu told the Samoa Observer.

“During the week most everyone is busy with work but on the weekend they come out to bring their families and relax. We just had a bout of bad weather two weeks ago so we have had to do some cleaning up.”

There are 10 fales situated on the beach and 12 guest rooms inland at Faofao.

Their restaurant located opposite the fales is closed and so is the beachside bar. But their bathrooms and showers are open to guests and travelers.

Guests can opt for fales and meals or just a fale.

“We don’t have ‘specials’ right now but we are giving out discounts during the period of COVID-19…our prices are negotiable,” Mr. Tapu said.

“People can contact us on our Facebook page that we continuously update.”

While there is not much going on at Faofao for Teuila Festival they are preparing for White Sunday that falls on Sunday, 10 October.

The Aleipata Tourism Alliance has created a campaign to promote the beach fale accommodations during the long weekend that includes a holiday on Monday, 11 October.

“Right now the Aleipata Tourism Alliance is making preparations for our White Sunday campaign,” said Mr. Tapu.

“Our campaign sort of mirrors the 'Sosola i Savai’i’ campaign so we are working on that and we will update everyone with social media posts. So you can expect to see what we will be offering for White Sunday or Lotu Tamaiti on our social media page.”

He encourages families to celebrate their children with a day of fun and relaxation at Faofao.

“I was cleaning out front and right now we don’t have any staff. Before the COVID-19 hit we had six employees but before we were hit by the tsunami in 2009 we had about 10 employees…we have had our beach fakes since before Cyclone Val and Ofa.”

The beach fale, he notes, is an entirely different experience from what one receives at a hotel.

Marketing since last year has been targeting locals and they hope to bring in families on the White Sunday holiday.

“People like to experience the way we live out here and this is it. You sleep in an open fale on the beach and there is no noise. I don’t think there are a lot of people with fale o’o in Apia so if you miss sleeping in a fale o’o, we invite to you to spend some time here,” said Mr. Tapu.

“We invite families to bring their children out and enjoy this to give them this experience. We are always busy working so when you get the chance your fale o’o is waiting for you. We have fales, food, everything you need: fresh oka fished straight from the ocean, taro from our plantation…we provide mosquito nets, bedding…we have it all here…it’s the perfect place to host a barbecue for the children.”

The scene further down the road in Lalomanu is similar – from Lulurosa Beach Fales to Taufua Beach Fales, the properties are clean but mostly  empty.

Kayaks were stacked neatly at Taufua and the chairs at the beachfront restaurant we're not occupied.

At nearby Lulurosa, Tautai Iakopo, the Acting Manager reported zero occupancy this week but business is expected to pick up on the weekend.

“We do have specials for Teuila Week. At the moment we have no guests. We do have guests on the weekends and on the holidays…we do expect some for White Sunday,” said Ms. Iakopo.

Like at Faofao, Lulurosa guests can choose a fale with meals (breakfast or dinner or both) or just the fale that starts at $50 tala per person per night.

Breakfast includes eggs and toast and an array of local fruits. Dinner is fish and chips or a stir fry and rice dish. Their restaurant is open.

There are 10 beach fales at Lulurosa: seven of them are open fales and three are closed fales.

Their Teuila Week specials last through next weekend.

“Just come around and enjoy,” said Ms. Iakopo.  

While much has changed dramatically since the pandemic forced Samoa to close its borders in early 2020, the environment in Saleapaga and Lalomanu has not.

The expanse of gleaming white sand, the cool shade of coconut trees and the vast ocean in every hue of blue imaginable are still there – beautiful as ever – waiting for the next excursionist.