NEWSPAGE 25 June
2010

(Photo: New Zealand Labour Party)

(Photo: Samoa Tourism Authority)

SAMOA: Samoa Tourism Authority Updates
Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Press Release

Samoa in Shanghai - updates from the team

Samoa makes Pacific Pulse News again

The Samoa Team at the 2010 Expo Shanghai China has had a lot of help from Pacific Pulse in helping to promote the great job the team is doing for Samoa at the Expo to the outside world.

The Pacific Pulse is the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Online News Circular. It has extensively featured the Samoa Team and Booth in its Expo News.

This week’s Issue gives a brief look at the members that make up the Private Sector part of the combined Samoa Team.

Following is the excerpt from Pacific Pulse for this week:

Taking a Break

Private sector representatives of the popular Samoa booth Patricia Kolhase and Litia Hudspeth take a coffee break in front of the Pacific Pavilion during their shift. Samoa’s honey has become popular with the visitors to the Pavilion as well as the coconut soap and oil. The ladies are monitoring sales at the Pavilion of retail items from Samoa and advising the business sector back home of what best to send to China for sale at the Pacific pavilion.


Meanwhile, back here...

AdPar Avion brings home its message Samoa Tourism Authority’s new Australian Marketing Representatives, AdPar Avion has truly brought home their dedication to boost the Australian tourism travel to Samoa, by literally…bringing it home.

AdPar Representatives flew to Samoa this week to present to the local tourism industry how it will ‘go all out’ to bring the Australian Tourist to Samoa’s sandy shores.

With a ‘FaaSAMOA, it’s our way’ approach, AdPar encourages teamwork with the local industry to achieve the strategies it will put in place.

AdPar’s Michael Riddington puts it simply.
“We are going to make people want to come (to Samoa) because it stands for something more.”

Their strategic direction is also simple; “It’s a dual strategy, we’ve got to know where we’re going and how to get there; and, to do that, we have got to sell things and get people here.”

Awareness is key and AdPar believes that the more that people are aware of the destination and its key features, the more those people will make informed decisions to visit Samoa.

With the combined ability to offer expert advice on destination representation, pitch competitive sales and marketing, inform media and maintain good public relations, provide research and creative development, AdPar is confident it will be able to reach if not exceed its self set target in increasing Australia’s outbound tourism to Samoa.

AdPar Avion was represented at the Industry meeting by Michael Riddington (Trade &Marketing), Adele Leathan (Trade & Marketing) and Peter Sereno (PR/Media/Events & Meetings).

Photo Caption: STA’s newest Team Members from L-R, Michael Riddington, Peter Sereno & Adele Leathan. The individuals are part of AdPar Avion, STA’s Australian Marketing Reps, seen here at the conclusion of their presentation to the local Tourism Industry earlier this week. The Presentation which took place at the Hotel Millennia was well attended and well received by the local Industry.
 

(Photo: ABC News)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Avalisa Poialii appointed to US Air Force Academy Pep School
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega announced recently that Miss Avalisa Poialii has been accepted to attend the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School at Colorado Springs, Colorado for the 2010-2011 school year.

The United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School is designed to academically, physically and militarily prepare qualified young men and women to enter the prestigious United States Air Force Academy, also in Colorado Springs.

“I am very proud of Avalisa and her determination to attain higher education. Her willingness to serve and defend our country is commendable and I am pleased she has been accepted to the Prep School,” Faleomavaega said.

“Acceptance to the Prep School is highly competitive and provides an excellent opportunity for cadets to increase their chances for a direct appointment to the Academy which is valued at over $500,000.”

Avalisa Poialii is the daughter of High Chief and Mrs. Gaoteote Taputonu and Manu’atele Peau Gaoteote of Vatia village. She is a recent graduate of Samoana High School and an avid athlete and scholar. For four consecutive years she has represented her school in the National History Day, Speech Festival, Math Competition and the Cadet Challenge Champions of 2010. She played basketball, volleyball and soccer for Samoana. She also attended the Michigan Math and Science Scholars Summer Program 2009-2010. Additionally, she was a member of the History and Math Clubs during her junior and senior years.

“I humbly thank Congressman Faleomavaega for nominating me to the Academy,” Avalisa said.
“I also wish to thank my Air Force Liason Officer, Lt Col Mila Lietzke, for not losing faith in me, even when I already did. It feels great to be able to follow my dreams and it's now starting.”

Avalisa attributes her successful appointment to the Prep School to her family’s enduring support. “Without my mother, Seepa Poialii, I literally wouldn't be living in this world and I want to thank her for lending me a helping hand.” Avalisa said.

“I was raised by my grandparents, Gaoteote Taputonu and Manu’atele, and my aunt, Pulemau Fa’amita. It is to these three people that I owe everything,” she continued.

“I also want to acknowledge my two older sisters, Tammie and Hope Poialii, for their guidance during the application process. I will be nothing without them. They not only helped perfect my skills in mathematics but they also taught me life lessons. I am grateful to be the youngest and having great role models as sisters.”

“Again, I congratulate Avalisa on her successful graduation from high school and especially her appointment to the Air Force Academy Prep School. I also congratulate her grandparents, Afioga Gaoteote and Manu’atele, and other family members who have provided her the love, support and guidance she needed. I wish Avalisa the very best in all her future endeavors,” the Congressman concluded.

Photo Caption: Congressman Faleomavaega says he is proud of Avalisa and pleased she has been accepted to the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School.
 

FIJI: PIPSO needs support to exploit opportunities
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Smart business management and decision-making by the private sector, and regional cooperative actions are some of the ways that could assist the private sector in the Pacific region exploit the global economic recovery opportunities.

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Tuiloma Neroni Slade made the comments when he opened the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) Regional Workshop in Nadi, Fiji on 23rd June.

The three-day workshop with the theme “Strengthening Pacific Islands Private Sector to meet Global Recovery Opportunities” is organized through the assistance of the European Union under the Pacific Regional Economic Integration Programme (PACREIP).

In his opening address, Mr Slade said there are a number of ways that the region can support its private sector to exploit global opportunities.

“Firstly, smart business management and decision-making by the private sector itself would be essential. Secondly, given the influence of Governments on private sector performance, most of the actions that are needed to be implemented would have to be led or facilitated by Governments. Thirdly, regional cooperative actions aiming to aggregate or develop markets for export and business opportunities, and to address issues of scale due to smallness and isolation, would be essential, indeed, are inevitable. “

Mr Slade also highlighted the high cost of doing business in the region.

“This is an area that needs our collective effort. I would note that our Governments are working with development partners to address this concern. Some countries are already achieving good results. However, much more needs to be done to ensure the cost of doing business in the Pacific are substantially reduced in order to grow the private sector.”

Secretary General Slade also spoke of involving the private sector either through PIPSO or some other mechanism in consultations on initiatives for regional cooperation.

“Important regional trade developments are happening now in the region with potential to improve market access for exports. The PACER-Plus discussions, PICTA trade in services and the negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements are examples which require meaningful consultations with the private sector to ensure the needs of the private sector are sufficiently addressed. Under the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific mandated by Forum Leaders last year, there is an expressed interest by Forum Leaders to consult and dialogue with the private sector, and a process is currently being considered to facilitate this.”

Mr Slade commended the work of PIPSO since it was established in 2005 and reaffirmed the support of the Forum Secretariat to ensure that its operations continue and grow.

He called on support from the governments, national private sector organizations and development partners for the work of PIPSO.
 

NIUE: Niue’s new tourism manager hopes to promote island more aggressively
Source: Radio New Zealand International

Tourism authorities in Niue plan to market the island as a tourism destination more aggressively, in a bid to increase visitors and boost dollars.

Its new senior tourism development manager, Hayden Porter, says the next six months will see the Niue Tourism Authority trying to get more New Zealanders and Australians aware of Niue.

Mr Porter says 25 yachts have just this week arrived in Alofi because of a glowing report on a blog site.

He says that shows there’s huge potential to market Niue more robustly over a period of time.

“This isn’t a short term burst of activity. Its very much a long-term strategic approach having to be taken because the marketing of the country in the past has been very passive. It’s now being acknowledged by both Niue and the New Zealand government that needs to change to drive tourism forward, in terms of stimulating the economy.”

Hayden Porter says Air New Zealand is to start using a bigger aircraft from December and that Niue is looking at an interisland service.
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Outstanding Vanuatu booth at World Expo receives generous offer
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Vanuatu remains one of the best in the Pacific Pavilion with over one million two hundred thousand visitors already visiting the Vanuatu booth so far.

A visitor to the Vanuatu Booth at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai has made an offer to buy the whole of the Vanuatu booth including all exhibits at the booth for any nominated fee by Vanuatu.

Vanuatu’s World Expo Commissioner General Sowany Joseph told Daily Post that a lady has made an open offer for an outright purchase of all the exhibits including the booth itself for any amount of money offered.

“She has approached our representatives at the Shanghai World Expo wanting to buy the booth with its entire contents. We told her that the Expo will remain until October and may consider her offer, however, this will be up to the Expo Committee and all Vanuatu participants to decide on,” said Mr Joseph.

Asked what the value of the exhibits and the booth itself is, Joseph said: “We are looking here at somewhere around Vt10 Million and above bearing in mind of course that we appear to be the best amongst all other Pacific Island countries showcasing at the Expo 2010.

“On the other hand we feel that we must bring back our entire booth with its entire contents and re-set up somewhere here in Port Vila as a tourist attraction,” Joseph said.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Ham Lini has received a warm welcome with his delegation by the Vanuatu World Expo Booth in Shanghai.

Commenting on Vanuatu Exhibitory, Lini said: “I am proud of the way our country’s booth has been organised because it reflects a great sense of the Vanuatu community,” he said.

He also said: “Although I am now in the Opposition, I will continue to encourage tourism as one of the mainstays of the economy,” he said, following his visit to the Vanuatu booth.

Joseph said: “ This is the most outstanding booth Vanuatu has displayed in any World Expo and there is every reason for the people Vanuatu to be proud of everyone who has been involved in putting the whole Vanuatu booth together.

Photo Caption: Vanuatu Ambassador to China Willie Jimmy flanked by the Vanuatu troop posted at the start of the Expo 2010 in Shanghai. The background shows the eye-catching Vanuatu booth.