Samoa is the new chair of the Pacific Tourism Organisation following the exit of the incumbent chair and Cook Islands Tourism Cooperation C.E.O. Halatoa Fua.

The Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) Chief Executive Officer, Faamatuaina Lenatai Suifua, was recently appointed the regional organisation's deputy chair representing Samoa. 

His elevation into the position of chairman comes less than a month after the country was appointed the organisation’s deputy chair. 

Mr. Fua was elected as the Board’s Chairman in October last year and his work was acknowledged and praised by the organisation's C.E.O. Christopher Cocker.

"Halatoa has been an innovative and inspiring leader during these unprecedented times and his strategic vision for S.P.T.O has helped us secure critical long-term donor support, despite the hardships presented by the pandemic," Mr. Cocker said in a statement.

"Earlier this year we lost our deputy board chairman, Josefa Tuamoto, who was a long serving Director of the S.P.T.O and as we now prepare to farewell Halatoa we acknowledge that theirs will be big shoes to fill.

"However, we have an experienced and supportive Board of Directors who will now be led by our Deputy Chairman [Faamatuainu Lenatai Suifua] of Samoa until our next Board meeting in May 2022."

Mr. Fua's resignation as the C.E.O. of the Cook Islands Tourism Cooperation will take effect in January next year, after which he will assume the role of the Director of the National Environment Service of the Cook Islands.

In a response to Samoa Observer queries, Faamatuainu described Mr. Fua's departure for another calling as an unfortunate setback for the regional organisation.

"He was one of the most experienced and senior C.E.O. in the board," Faamatuainu told the Samoa Observer.

"I've also learnt a lot from Halatoa. With the support of the S.P.T.O C.E.O and the Board of Directors, the roles and duties will be carried out with the utmost capability.

"Especially the tourism sector is the most affected in the region. Tourism recovery is the most urgent priority not only for Samoa but the region."