Samoa deserves more attention as a tourism destination

By Anina Kazaz 25 May 2018, 12:00AM

Meet Tania and Steve Davies from Hamilton, New Zealand.

Since their arrival last week Saturday, they have been enjoying the local culture and the island vibes. 

They are originally from Wales but moved to New Zealand 30 years ago. 

Being married for 30 years allowed them the opportunity to travel to Fiji, Niue and New Caledonia, so for them visiting the Pacific region is nothing new. 

“We always wanted to come to Samoa to see how it is like. This was the destination we haven’t been to and we wanted to see it.

“We got a free opportunity through Kiwi Bank. We knew our next holiday is going to be Samoa anyway,” Tania explained.

Tania and Steve came with the intention of relaxing and mostly enjoying what the resort has to offer. 

For them, this trip is a break from the busy life back home.

Dear Tourist met the couple in the lodge of the Taumeasina Island Resort.

“We are not the kind of couple who want to do the touristy thing. We just want to relax and we like that,” Tania said.

“This place is absolutely perfect for that. Something is going on every night in the resort, which is really nice. Prices are affordable for drinks and the staff is fantastic.”

In terms of the culture, Tania shared: “There are totally lovely people here in Samoa. Everybody has been nice. 

“I feel the people appreciate tourists who come to Samoa. They opened the doors to their shops and waved at us,” she said.

“It was very hot to walk around. I was surprised in Apia to give the bags at the entry of the shop, I am not used to that.

“I totally understand that on Sundays everything is closed because of the religion. It is part of the culture and I kind of like that.”

They also gave some tips on improving the tourism industry. 

“Maybe they could have a bit more shops in the resort here because there is only one here.

“There was a good bar nearby and it would be good to have more information on where it is good to go for food or drinks. Doing some more advertising in this area would be very helpful,” Tania shared with the Dear Tourist team.

“Someone on the streets of Apia approached us and wanted to be our tour guide, but we did not know if he is working for a company or not.

“I guess to have some information of what we have to be aware of and what is safe or not would be important. What is safer taxi or buses? The taxi drivers we had have been lovely.

“Only once a lady came and asked me for money, but this is not different from everywhere else. It happens all around the world.”

Yesterday was their last day.

“We are a bit sad that it is over. We will come back to Samoa. I really enjoyed it. Now we know how it is like and we like to go to the same places again to enjoy them more. We would come to the same resort.”

By Anina Kazaz 25 May 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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