Beautiful is back!
By: Tosimae'a Tupua
Email: tupua@opi.as.gov
Samoa has welcomed its first flight of international visitors as it opened its borders once again. The exciting milestone marked resumption of international tourism in the idyllic nation after almost two and half years of border closures.
As of this week, Samoa opens to fully vaccinated visitors from travel partner countries for quarantine-free travel. The first flight, from Fiji landed at 10:00 am on Monday August 1 2022 carrying 180 passengers eager for their first tropical island holiday. On the same day, a flight from New Zealand, and later Brisbane Australia landed bringing more than 600 travelers.
The country which is ready to safely welcome visitors back thanks to a successful vaccination roll out, seeing well over 90% of its eligible population vaccinated with both doses, does have some travel requirements in place to ensure visitors can book and travel in confidence that they’re keeping themselves and the locals of Samoa safe.
Travelers to Samoa must be fully vaccinated (children under 18-years-old can travel with a vaccinated adult) and those over the age of 12 must get a negative RT PCR test taken 72 hours before you board your flight to Samoa. Once visitors arrive on Samoa soil, they will be able to holiday knowing that everyone they interact with is adhering to the highest health and safety practices.
“It’s such an exciting day for Samoa and for our tourism industry. It’s been a long time coming! From airline to accommodation, Samoa tourism operators and related services have worked hard to ensure and uphold internationally benchmarked COVID-safety practices. The resumption of both American Samoa and international tourism is a credit to Samoa’s collective commitment for public safety, coupled with our famous Talofa spirit!” said Toeausulusulu Cedric Shuster, Tourism Minister Samoa.
Samoa Tourism Authority’s CEO, Pativaine Petaia-Tevita, said beautiful Samoa is back on the radar as a must-visit destination, particularly as worldwide travel restrictions continue to ease and traveller confidence grows.
“As international travel begins to take shape again, Samoa has been striving to ensure critical components of our travel-ready toolkit are in place. All of these efforts ensure we are in a top position to safely open borders to travellers,” she said.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors with open arms, and we encourage travellers to experience Samoa’s untouched beauty, unique cultural experiences, rich heritage and friendly locals for themselves.”
Undoubtedly when Samoa’s borders closed in 2020, the economy had an immediate effect. Tourism has always been important to Samoa and its people as the industry accounts for almost 30% of Samoa’s GDP.
Samoa continues to remain an ideal destination where travellers can enjoy a relaxing tropical holiday, stay in luxury resorts, beach fales and immerse themselves in the true spirit of Faasamoa. Whether it’s an adventure, a romantic break or a relaxing getaway, Samoa provides the perfect backdrop.