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New Zealand providing grant funding to support Samoa tourism industry

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reporters@samoanews.com

Apia, SAMOA — A grant funding arrangement has been signed between the New Zealand and Samoa governments to support the tourism industry in its post-pandemic recovery efforts.

Known as the Samoa Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program (STRRP), it also aims to build a sustainable, inclusive and higher yield tourism model that is more resilient to future shocks.

This was confirmed in a press statement issued by the Samoa Tourism Authority.

“With international borders now fully opened, the Samoa Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program has come at a crucial time as the industry looks to rebuild and recover from the pandemic. 

“A number of programs will be implemented at different levels as discussed between the donor partner and the Samoa Tourism Authority. 

“The STRRP focuses on 5 key outputs which include the upgrade and improvement of priority attraction sites as well as the delivery of a pilot program for the production of cultural heritage products.”

According to the STA, destination Marketing and Research will also be an area of focus, particularly on the development and implementation of a destination reposition strategy and also the development of sustainable tourism policies that align with the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Framework.

“Also included will be training for the Tourism Sector along with the development and delivery of a tourism sector business and employee skills training program, focusing on COVID-19 recovery.

“The assistance also has an emphasis on capacity building, which looks at developing and implementing programs and activities to upskill tourism and hospitality staff nation-wide.

“The STRR-GFA program will run for a period of 2 years, ending in 2024. It will be facilitated and implemented by the Samoa Tourism Authority on behalf of the Government of Samoa, with the support of tourism stakeholders and other Government agencies.”