Samoa’s Sporting Chance: Agents Get The Update

Top sports facilities and ‘GNH’ (Gross National Happiness) are good reasons for booking a trip to Samoa, says Samoa Tourism Authority chief executive, Sonja Hunter.
Speaking to a strong turnout of Wellington travel agents at the Beautiful Samoa Roadshow on Wednesday, Turner said not many people knew about Samoa’s sports and training facilities. These included the Olympic size swimming pool, hockey turf, soccer fields, Apia Park Stadium and the Samoa Rugby Union’s High Performance Facility.
‘Aside from having a holiday, people and groups can come here for training as well, then training definitely becomes more fun,’ she said.
For golfers, the Royal Samoa Country Club championship golf course is close to Apia and hosts the annual pro-am Samoa Open, attracting golfers from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.
International boxing has also become a focus in Samoa.
Following Joseph Parker’s successful WBO title defence fight, in Apia earlier this year, next month ‘Showdown in Paradise’ will draw top international youth boxers to the Samoan capital.
The feature fight will be an IBF World Youth Title Fight, pitching American Frankie Lopez against upcoming Australian/Samoan star Jai Opetaia.

‘Overall, we are definitely seeing more interest in Samoa as a holiday destination, also for events, and it’s wonderful that a lot more New Zealanders are finding out about us,’ says Hunter.

The Beautiful Samoa Roadshow was in Christchurch on Tuesday and Auckland last night. For photos from last night’s Auckland event.

Samoa sails into Auckland

Thursday, 03 August 2017 09:12

 
 
(Source: TRAVELinc MEMO 04 August 2017 Issue 1028)