Standing Out In Samoa

Samoa is upping the ante in the destinations wedding market, as the island nation looks to set itself apart from the traditional island hotspots of Fiji and Rarotonga.
‘There is a lot going on that we’re hoping will draw clients to Samoa. Not just at our properties – but around the island as a whole,’ explains Sherrilyn Charles, Sheraton’s director of sales & marketing, who hosted a four-day wedding-focused famil for Kiwi agents and wedding planners last week.
The group stayed at both the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows in Apia and the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort, five minutes’ drive from Faleolo International Airport.
‘The Sheraton brand has put Samoa on the map, and our two properties provide agents selling the destination with options,’ says Charles.
‘We’ve been working with Air New Zealand to bring agents here. We’ve targeted destination wedding planners and organised this particular famil to take place at the same time as the Wedding Expo, so all the agents and planners can get a good idea of everything that is on offer in Samoa. ‘
Charles says while Samoa may not be as popular as other destinations in the Pacific for weddings, such as Fiji or Rarotonga, this can play in its favour.
‘Not as many people have been to Samoa – where as lots of Kiwis have been to Fiji and Rarotonga. This means you’re more likely to get more guests over. If you’ve been to a destination already, the only incentive to go would be the wedding. With Samoa, it’s a good excuse for wedding guests to come because they get the new experience and the chance to discover somewhere new, as well as the wedding.’

Charles says the upcoming redevelopment of the Apia waterfront and pedestrian boardwalks, set to begin next year, will do wonders for the city-based hotel.
‘It’s going to be right across from the hotel, so for us it’s a huge deal. For agents, it’s a good selling point because clients want options.’
Agents on the famil were treated to a cocktail making session in the hotel lobby bar. The hotel is doing work here too, including upgrading the cocktail menu to include more fresh produce and incorporating features you can find in New Zealand cocktail bars.
The hotel, which reopened in August 2016 following an extensive refurbishment, was a particularly welcome highlight for agents, as was news of the redevelopment.
‘I’m not usually that interested in selling Apia to my clients. But the redevelopment will make a huge
difference, especially with the new-look hotel making such an impression,’ says Teuila Benioni, director of business development at Auckland-based wedding planner Wedding She Wrote.
‘Those two things combined will actually make my clients want to stay here (in the city), and then travel out to the beaches – rather than the other way around.’

 
(Source: TRAVELinc MEMO 17 October 2017 Issue 1049)