Samoa Tourism Accommodation Standards Committee Conduct 2018 Inspections

Tourism accommodations in the Big Island of Savai’i were the first to be inspected by the Technical Committee (TC) of the Samoa Tourism Accommodation Standards (STAS) for 2018, before completion of all properties in Upolu.

The annual inspections are mandated to ensure compliance of properties with the minimum tourism accommodation standards.

The Technical Committee led by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) includes other government ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment; Electric Power Corporation; Fire and Emergency Services Authority; Samoa Water
Authority, Samoa Hotels Association, Savai’i Samoa Tourism Association and other members of the tourism industry.

Samoa Tourism Authority’s Planning and Development led the inspections, and its Manager, Faamatuainu Suifua
Faamatuainu said that it’s a two-way process.

“The committee is like a one-stop shop consisting of members from the needed government services all simultaneously carrying out inspections for the same accommodation, which is a great opportunity for accommodation owners to seek assistance where it’s needed and take on board the recommendations provided by each committee member.” Said Faamatuainu.

The committee is also responsible for selecting the winner of the Hygiene Award category for the Samoa Tourism
Excellence Awards which began in 2017.

This year’s inspections started at the beginning of last month  and were well received by the owners and managers
of the various levels of accommodations, as the committee commented on the improvements carried out and provided recommendations on areas of improvements.

Following the recent Tropical Cyclone Gita in February this year, minimal structural damages were noted for the
majority of properties apart from the Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows in Apia with a few properties currently undergoing rebuilding and renovation works.

Safety was however high on the list of recommendations by the standards committee after a very thorough assessment by the respective individual representative members.

More than 20 tourism accommodations in Savaii were all observed for a week, while there were more than 100
properties inspected in Upolu.

The Samoa Tourism Accommodation Standards inspections also reviewed the current listing of all accommodation
properties and to confirm final category accreditation. the committee looks to uphold the highs standards with its
follow-up inspections throughout the year.

TOURISM STANDARDS: Members of the Samoa Tourism Accommodation Standards 2018 during their visits in Upolu.

(Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Weekly Circular 06 April 2018)

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