PATA leads Samoa tourism recovery plan
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PATA’s efforts to lead a tourism recovery for disaster-hit Samoa take another positive step this week with a one-day workshop headed by the island’s Deputy Prime Minister Misa Telfoni. The Deputy PM will be joined by key travel industry representatives from the public and private sectors under the workshop banner ‘Samoa Tourism Exchange-Moving Forward’.
Delegates include PATA Journalist of the Year Nigel Coventry, editor of the excellent New Zealand-based travel newsletter Inside Tourism. It is expected that Nigel’s constructive and objective reporting from Samoa will give important assistance to the communications and media plan that is being drafted by PATA. The plan will be based on the Association’s considerable experience in dealing with other crises such as the Bali bombings, SARS, Sichuan province earthquake and the tsunami on Boxing Day 2004.
PATA’s Sydney-Based Regional Director Chris Flynn is currently in Samoa with John Perrottet from International Finance Corp (IFC). The IFC is to submit recommendations on infrastructure re-build to the government and John Perrottet’s report will also include estimates on loan and aid requirements. Chris Flynn will play a central role in this Friday’s workshop and has been coordinating efforts with PATA members across the region.
“The damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami is considerable. This island needs advice, practical assistance and guidance. There is a remarkable spirit here despite the loss of life and damage to property and infrastructure. The task is huge but not insurmountable. I’m grateful to our many industry friends that have already given their time and expertise to this important tourism recovery programme in Samoa,” says Chris.
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