The Chairlady and STA Board of Directors would like to congratulate and welcome the Hon. Prime
Minister, the new Minister of Tourism.
The new appointment comes after Cabinet’s Internal reshuffling of Ministerial portfolios that also saw
two new Cabinet Ministers added.
The new appointments were effective on October 1st, 2023.
STA would also like to acknowledge the former Minister Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Salesa Pose
Schuster for his vast contribution to the tourism sector.

Samoa Tourism extends a warm welcome to our newly crowned Miss
Samoa Moemoana Safa’ato’a Schwenke as she begins her journey
as Miss Samoa 2023-2024, an opportunity she is thrilled to take on
to continue this strong legacy of the Miss Samoa platform to
promote Samoa to the world.
“I feel honoured to be your Miss Samoa. Being crowned the Miss
Samoa has meant that I can be a role model for the next generation
of Samoan women and girls. Samoa, my beloved, serving you is my
purpose. I promise to dedicate myself to serving Samoa with all my
heart, soul and mind. Honouring our Ancestors and nurturing our
future generations in all I do! We are the Ancestors of tomorrow, the
carriers of our culture. I will carry with you always Samoa.”

The 33rd Teuila Festival concluded on a high note after 7 full days of traditional and fun
activities that kept the Apia township busy with festivities.
In closing, the Hon Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa emphasized the importance of the
annual event to the tourism industry and the development of Samoa.
“It is important to note that this year’s Teuila Festival has effectively highlighted the growth in
both the diaspora market as well as visiting friends and relatives. And for that reason, I wish to
acknowledge all the dance groups, sports teams, schools, and families who travelled to be a
part of this year’s festivities,” Mata’afa.
As part of the Teuila celebration this year, STA is also conducting an evaluation on the festival
which aims to gather opinions and insights from locals, the overseas diaspora and visitors on the
festival’s impact, its benefits to local enterprises, suggestions for enhancements and the viability
of continuing the festival in its existing structure.
“I can’t emphasize enough how crucial tourism is to our economy. As such, it is imperative that
we consistently offer top notch hospitality through our talimalo while also maintaining Samoa’s
cleanliness and natural beauty. After all we are the epitome of Beautiful Samoa,” she added.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR ONLINE CAMPAIGN WINNERS!
BEAUTIFUL STORYTELLING COMPETITION WINNERS

PROMISING START TO THE NEW
FINANCIAL YEAR WITH SOLID 1ST
QUARTER ARRIVAL NUMBERS

Our recovery efforts into the new Financial Year (FY) 2023/24 looks promising with the
performance of the (July – Sept) quarter.Total visitor arrivals for the period under review of
48,620 represents 83.3% of the 58,348 total visitor arrivals for the same quarter in 2019.
On the earnings side, total earnings of SAT$158.3 for the quarter is only 6.5% less than total
quarterly earnings ofSAT$169.3m achieved in FY 2019/20. The faster recovery rate achieved
through earnings relative to arrival numbers is due to the higher yield per visitor with average
spend per visitor increasing by 12% from $2,913 to $3,263.
For the calendar year to date (Jan – Sept), total visitor numbers of 126,216 represents 92.5%
of the 136,480 visitors recorded for the same period in 2019. Total earnings for the period
under review of SAT$422.4m represents a 4.5% increase over the earnings for the same
period in 2019 of SAT$404.6m with average spend per visitor increasing to $3,340 from

$2,973.

The performance of our year to date or the first 9 months of the year means we are well on
track to reach pre-covid numbers in terms of overall arrivals and will most likely exceed
pre-covid earnings in the first full calendar year of borders re-opening compared to the

2019 period.