SPTO to promote Membership Program at Samoa Tourism Exchange

SUVA, Fiji – The South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) will seek opportunities to raise awareness on its Private Sector Membership and South Pacific Specialist Program at the Samoa Tourism Exchange (STE) which will be held at the Samoa Conference Centre in Apia from 12th to14th May 2015.

The two programs are premier products of the SPTO which are offered to its members as well as travel agents around the world.

Through the Private Sector Membership Program, the SPTO offers members an array of services and benefits designed to offer a competitive advantage in the promotion of their products and services. The added benefits include access to the online Regional Tourism Resource Centre (RTRC), promotion of members’ online campaigns via SPTO online platforms as well as Priority invitation to SPTO’s organized events (regional and international).

SPTO Chief Executive Ilisoni Vuidreketi stated the Samoa Tourism Exchange offers the SPTO a good opportunity to network and conduct business with tourism stakeholders from the region as well as internationally.

“As the regional tourism body for the South Pacific, we make it our business to support the initiatives of the National Tourism Offices (NTO) in the region. The Samoa Tourism Exchange is a great initiative of the Samoa Tourism Authority in its bid to sell Samoa as a premier destination and we are fully supportive of their work.”

“We believe the products that SPTO offers, compliments the work being carried out in the region by the NTO’s”, Mr. Vuidreketi continued.

“The STE also provides a platform for SPTO to conduct a membership drive to Samoan operators which will be one of the major objectives for our participation and we anticipate a good outcome from the STE next week,” Mr. Vuidreketi added.

The STE will showcase Samoa as a growing tourism destination to international tour operators and trade media, under the theme HOLIDAY THE SAMOAN WAY! Local operators will have the opportunity to develop and enhance Business to Business relationships with product managers during the 2 day buyer and seller exhibition. Over 50 buyers from NZ, Australia, American Samoa, USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, China, South Korea and Fiji as well as over 40 sellers from across Samoa including Resorts, hotels, beach fales, inbound tour operators, car rentals, tours and attractions will take part in the two-day expo.