PROMOTING DOMESTIC TOURISM IN SAVAI’I
By: Asenati Taugasolo Semu
Promoting domestic tourism is the focus of a media tour in Savaii this week, for the media to experience the various tourists sites, accommodation and the hospitality Samoa has to offer.
The tour is hosted by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) with assistance by the tourism industry stakeholders to compile features about Samoa’s history products and services, culture, and activities.
“With the current COVID 19 pandemic and the closure of our borders, the Authority’s focus is now on our local market, encouraging and promoting domestic tourism”, said the Samoa Tourism Authority.
“The tour gives media personnel the opportunity to experience the various sites, food and accommodation Samoa has to offer.”
The media on Monday visited some members of the industry that include the siapo demonstration, the garden toilet project and the Afu Aau Fall at Palauli and the Taga blowholes.
The visit yesterday included the Falealupo Beach Fales, Manase villge, Saleaula lava fields, Le Lagoto Resort, Amataga Farm and the Amoa Resort.
Media included in the visit are from the Press and Communication Division/Savali; Talamua media; 2AP; TV One; STA freelance; Radio Polynesia; Newsline; Samoa Observer and the Samoa Airways representative.
Siapo at Vailoa Palauli
Faamuli Sālū who is 86 years old, had passed down the knowledge of making siapo to her daughter in law, Faapito Lemuelu who is now leading the siapo making business that earn money to support the family and fund her children’s education.
Siapo is made from the lau u’a tree and was Samo’s traditional wear and is still used today in traditional ceremonies.
Lemuelu said her family makes about $14,000 from their siapo making business a year, but with the COVID 19, things are slowing down but they are still managing to sell some of their siapo locally.
Her daughter, Tamasa’ilau Julie Lemuelu explained to the media the process of making siapo, and the fact that this family business and tradition will be passed down to her generation from her mother Faapito.
Faamuli Sālū said she was the fourth generation of her family in the siapo making tradition.
Her granddaughter Tamasa’ilau will be the sixth generation in her family in the siapo making business.
“I hope that my children will continue to pass down this family precious tradition to their children.”
Afu Aau Fall at Vailoa Palauli
The fall originates from the mountains, according to Autagavaia Luafitu, a high chief of Vailoa Palauli.
Autagavaia said this tourist site is looked after and monitored by the village council, with assistance from the Samoa Tourism Authority.
The cultural legend of the fall says that the pool gained its name from the villagers who would wait for the heavy rainfall season to compete in racing to the waterfall, jumping down into the pool and swimming from the bottom of the waterfall to the edge of the pool.
“Our village maintains and look after the fall, and we are happy to assist the Government with the development of the tourism industry, said Autagavaia.
“We earn money from this attraction and we spend it on more upgrade works to maintain the beautiful look of our fall.
“I want to thank the Samoa Tourism Authority for its assistance in upgrading the road to the fall, and also their continuing support in promoting our fall not only in Samoa but also to the outside world.”
Autagavaia said the COVID 19 had brought change into the revenue his village gets from the tourists that visit the fall.
“Yes we are seeing the change with tourists that come to see our fall, but we are still getting our local people that come to swim and enjoy the beauty of Afu Aau.”
At the height of the tourism business before the pandemic, Autagavaia said over a thousand people used to visit the fall.
Alofaaga blowholes at Taga
The Alofaaga blowholes according to a matai of Taga, Faiumu Uiao Ene, was found from the love of a Tongan Chief who came to search for his two sons who were shipwrecked at the blowholes.
“That’s how the name Alofaaga blowholes was founded,” said Faiumu.
Despite the lockdown of international travels, and halted the influx of tourists to the blowholes, Faiumu said his village still support the Samoa Tourism Authority in their promotion work to make sure that our local people choose to visit this amazing tourist attraction.
“We have over 500 tourists and our local people that used to come and visit our blowholes, but that number has decreased due to the pandemic.
“The cost to visit the blowholes is $5.00 and our village also depend on this fund to maintain the site and to upgrade the access road.”
Faiumu said the village is looking at attracting our local people to visit, and he also acknowledged the media for their contribution in promoting the Alofaaga blowholes.
Falealupo canopy walk
High Chief Fuiono Tenina said the walkway had contributed to the development of their village and helped funded the new school building.
He said they could get up to $50,000 a year from this tourist attraction before the COVID 19 pandemic.
“The walkway is a revenue generating avenue for our village, and we acknowledge the Samoa Tourism Authority for their assistance in promoting our walkway to the world,” said Fuiono.
“Our village will continue to make sure that our walkway is safe and continue to attract tourists to our side of the island.”
Fuiono also took the media to the site of the Moso’s footprint where tourists also love to visit.
