With travel restrictions still very much in place, we’re looking at what countries are doing in readiness for the eventual grand reopening. In Samoa, members of the tourism industry are taking advantage of a food and beverages stimulus package under the guise of ‘When Life Gives You Pineapples, Make Smoothies!
We’re pretty sure that unless you live within relatively easy reach of the Polynesian islands, most people reading this wouldn’t have visited Samoa and sadly, this includes us.
Samoa is an extraordinary and beautiful place. It comprises of ten islands, and of these, four are inhabited. The islands are known for their colourful tropical reefs teeming with fish, dolphins and turtles. They also boast powder-soft beaches, fantastic hiking trails and picture-perfect waterfalls.
Aside from its amazing beaches, it’s the wildlife that lures people from around the world. For example, the islands play host to several unique birds species. Just mentioning their names should give you an idea of how extraordinary a place this is. For example, if you head to the nearest forest, you’re likely to see a Tooth Billed Pigeon, Red-Headed Parrot Finch and the Crimson Crowned Fruit Dove, to name but a few.
Sadly, the global pandemic has meant that international visitors haven’t had the opportunity to experience its natural wonders for the time being. At some point, we’re expecting things to return to a semblance of normality, and this is a feeling shared by the people of Samoa.
To help prepare for this, members of Samoa’s Tourism industry have taken advantage of a stimulus package to help develop staff working in the hospitality industry while the travel restrictions are in place. This training has a rather appropriate title ‘when life gives you pineapples, you make smoothies’.
The training offered involved bar servicing skills which were provided over five days at various locations by the Australia Pacific Training Coalition. The training focused on creating mocktails using local produce and allowed participants to experiment by making their own creations.
This training has proven to be invaluable and has stimulated the appetite for business within the local market.
On this, Samoa Tourism Authority CEO, Faamatuainu Lenata’i Suifua, Said, “The training plays a big part in preparing and refining services by the local tourism Industry for when borders open up. The Tourism Authority continues to be in touch with overseas markets on possible scenarios for Samoa if travel resumes sometime this year.”
“Participants graduating with these internationally accredited qualifications will be more than ready and on standby to cater for visitors once borders open up, and will also have the opportunity to find employment regionally and globally.”
The training provided has benefitted more than seven hundred displaced employees and others who are now working reduced hours with the tourism industry. The training courses are internationally recognised and were implemented in partnership with the tourism authority, The Samoa Business Hub, the National University of Samoa and the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC).
We have been informed that at the time of writing this article, Samoa remains COVID free. For the latest information on travel to Samoa, visit www.samoa.travel, www.samoagovt.ws or the UK FCO website.
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