Mackenzie-King children pick Samoa

By Anina Kazaz 30 September 2018, 12:00AM

Pictures of waterfalls, the To Sua Trench and people swimming with turtles caught the eyes of the Mackenzie-King children and their decision was final. 

Melbourne-based mother Jo Mackenzie-King said this when she told Samoa Observer how they choose Samoa for holidays. 

They wanted to have a different experience from Fiji and the Indonesian tourist destination of Bali, and Samoa was the answer according to the family. 

“We wanted to come for the waterfalls, the (To Sua) trench and to swim with the turtles. To see something different than Bali or Fiji,” said 11-year-old Allie. 

Jo, the mother added: “It is much more filled with tourist there, where as here it’s still a tropical natural and beautiful island not overrun by tourism. Bali and Fiji are very touristy and Samoa is still natural.

Samoa has managed to stay as it is in many ways, which Joe said is something she appreciates after visiting other countries.

“We had these beautiful tour guides, it is really nice to actually talk to Samoans and see what Samoa really has offer, it was brilliant. They took us to the beaches and waterfalls and the trench, which was fantastic. They showed us all around Samoan people and culture, it made it different because they were locals,” she added. 

Travelling to Samoa with four children did not seem to be a problem for Jo and her children told Samoa Observer why they are enjoying their stay. 

“I am happy here, I like it that it is laid back and not in a rush not like home,” said 13-year-old Fraser. 

Fifteen-year-old Emma said “it is like a piece of paradise here”. 

The warm sea temperature, compared to waters around Australian, is a bonus and makes swimming an enjoyable experience, added Allie. 

Samoa’s tourism market is still in an early stage of development and that is what makes it “charming” according to Jo, as she sees potential for more growth in the sector. 

But it is the Samoan touch in the local tourism market that makes it different from other destinations in the world, which she believes will drive up tourist numbers. 

“The people are lovely I really love the Samoan people. The standards of five-star hotels to other countries are different but it is still nice. I love the way the locals are into their culture. 

I don’t think they will lose some of their values as they are so attached to their culture. I don’t think more tourism would make that much of a difference to the culture, but I am glad I came before more tourism to experience like it is now,” she said. 

For now, Jo and her children are having fun and plan to travel to Savai’i “to swim with the turtles”, in order to tick all the boxes for this trip. And they plan to return to Samoa to do it all again.

By Anina Kazaz 30 September 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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