American Somoa tourist-hunting
There are a little more than 200 hotel rooms in American Samoa, with 100 at the Tradewinds Hotel alone. But that’s about to change.
For the first time, American Samoa has approved a convention and visitors bureau.
Gov. Togiola Tulafono says hopes the creation of a visitors bureau will enable this US territory to tap into the multimillion dollar tourist industry that has benefited other Pacific locations.
“Tourism is a multimillion dollar industry that the territory can certainly take advantage of,” he said. “With the proper mechanism in place, we can realize our full potential in a relatively short span of time.”
The governor signed into law legislation establishing the American Samoa Visitors Bureau, a semiautonomous government agency to promote the territory as a tourist destination.
In approving the ASVB bill, Gov. Tulafono informed lawmakers that he believes the measure represents a more serious approach to tourism.
The America Samoa Chamber of Commerce said the local tourism industry has been at a standstill for many years.
“We feel tourism development has been lagging behind and we have not done enough, given the importance of a strong tourism industry for the economy,” chamber president David Robinson said.
“This is a very positive initiative and it will help strengthen the development of tourism in the territory,” said Mr Robinson.
“If well developed,” he said, “tourism will become a serious contributor to our local economy through infrastructure development, employment and all the benefits that many other sections of our economy will enjoy from a fully developed industry.”
American Samoa lags far behind other pacific islands in tourist numbers. In 2006, its tourist count was 7,762. It was 7,027 the year before.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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