Samoa – Sustainable Tourism Development Challenges & Opportunities Samoa
What
SW Associates, with Dain Simpson, was contracted by the Asian Development Bank to analyze Samoa’s national tourism strategy, core issues, constraints and then recommend project opportunities to address the constraints as part of the ADB Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative.
Activities & Services:
Conducted a comprehensive review of Samoa’s tourism sector in terms of visitor profiles, market demand, organizational structures, and available infrastructure.
Analyzed constraints to tourism growth in four main components of an analytical framework:
- Infrastructure (transportation, energy, waste management and water resources)
- Marketing and Product (existing and potential product opportunities and marketing strategies)
- Human Resources (availability of hospitality education and training resources)
- Policy and Investment (policy and regulatory environment, especially in regards to investment)
Results:
The team produced a detail strategy report and issues paper in regards to tourism growth and investment in Samoa, which proposed projects in all of the above components of the Framework. These included:
- Foreshore waterfront improvements in Apia
- Ferry access improvements
- Development Bank of Samoa assistance with tourism sector
- Visitor experience development
- Expanded hospitality training
