Pacific Tourism Organisation in collaboration with the Samoa Tourism Authority Release Key Insights and the Economic Impact of Visitor Arrivals from Survey

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), through its Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) in consultation with the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA), released its latest findings from the Visitor Arrival Survey conducted over five months from August to December 2023.  This comprehensive data collection effort has provided SPTO and STA with valuable insights into the preferences and experiences of international guests. This allows SPTO and STA to better understand their behaviours and tailor our tourism offerings accordingly.

The data collection effort yielded 2,753 responses, covering 3,373 adults and 1,110 children. While this represents only about six percent of the actual visitors during this time frame, the sample size is still substantial enough to offer valuable insights into travelers’ experiences and economic contributions to Samoa. One key finding from the IVS for Samoa is that tourists are delighted with their overall experience in Samoa. Most respondents rated their satisfaction levels as either “good” or “excellent,” indicating positive experiences during their visit.

Visitors cited several key factors that influenced their decision to visit Samoa:

• Cleanliness: Samoa’s commitment to maintaining pristine beaches and environments continues to attract travelers seeking a clean and beautiful destination.
• Friendly Locals: The warmth and hospitality of the Samoan people leave a lasting impression, making visitors feel welcome and valued.
• Activities and Attractions: From breathtaking natural sites to engaging cultural experiences, Samoa offers diverse activities that appeal to a broad audience.

The survey revealed significant economic benefits from tourism between August and December 2023. During this period, Samoa welcomed approximately 78,200 international arrivals by air. Based on the survey’s estimates, these visitors contributed around 120 million USD to the local economy. This influx of spending supports local businesses, creates jobs, and fosters economic growth across the islands.

In acknowledging the announcement of the PTDI survey updates SPTO, CEO Christopher Cocker states that moving forward, SPTO is fully committed to ensuring the implementation of efficient management systems for the PTDI.

“SPTO’s position as the premier hub for Pacific Tourism Research and insights enables us to elevate our commitment to serving SPTO members with their research and insights needs, further propelling sustainable tourism growth in the region. The PTDI, a vital research project initiative, is instrumental in providing valuable insights into tourism trends and their impacts on communities, businesses, and visitors in the Pacific Islands,” Mr Cocker said.

In October 2023, the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) transitioned from the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI) based at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in New Zealand to the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO). The PTDI is a research project that collects and reports on tourism information in 10 Pacific nations (Federated States of Micronesia(Yap), Timor Leste, Kiribati, Niue, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and is funded by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).