ASVB & SPTO host workshops

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) in partnership with the American Samoa Visitors Bureau will host Statistics and Sustainable Tourism Training Workshops for stakeholder and government agencies on January 23-24, 2018 at the Tradewinds Hotel.

The training is part of SPTO’s work program, plans to provide technical assistance to American Samoa. The Tourism Statistics Training will be conducted by the Manager for Research and Statistics, Ms Elizabeth Ragimana and Tourism Research Officer.

The training will provide participants with knowledge/skills on basic tourism statistics compilations and related classifications, concepts and definitions, according to the latest UNWTO Standards.

Expected participants will be officials or key compilers from the American Samoa Visitor Bureau, American Samoa Statistics Division/Department of Commerce, Customs and Immigrations, and representatives from Treasury and the Budget Office. Ms. Christina Leala Gale, the Manager for Sustainable Tourism Development will deliver training on Opportunities for Sustainable Development.

The mission will also be seen as an excellent opportunity to join forces and support American Samoa in its efforts to develop sustainable tourism products through a scoping mission to carry out consultation with key government agencies including the American Samoa Visitor Bureau, AS Environmental Protection Agency, Agriculture, Meteorological Services, Homeland Security, as well as non-government stakeholders and others to identify opportunities, challenges and map out priorities for the sector.

The training also provides an opportunity to raise awareness of tourism stakeholders on what Sustainable Tourism is, what benefits can be harnessed, what activities can be promoted for the International Year of Sustainable Tourism and define a way forward for the country and also for SPTO and how it can best provide the required support.

By the end of the training, the participants/compilers will be able to compile and disseminate, at minimum, monthly, quarterly, and annual Visitor Arrivals data for American Samoa that conforms to the international standards.

Furthermore, the participants should also have a better understanding of sustainable tourism development and how to apply sustainable best practices on the ground.