Samoa Lifts The Veil On New Luxury Resorts and Hotels In Time For 2015 Romantic Getaways

As the New Year settles in and Valentine’s Day approaches, newly engaged couples will be considering destinations for their wedding and honeymoons for 2015/2016. Samoa not only offers couples the chance to be the first in the world to marry on their chosen date, but the recent re-opening of the Return to Paradise Resort (16 October 2014), and the upcoming re-opening of the Starwood’s Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort (15 January 2014) and Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel (01 May 2015 TBC) also provides a wide choice of luxury accommodation with truly beautiful backdrops for a secluded getaway that is known as ‘off the GPS’! Prices start from £137 per night for deluxe accommodation at Aggie Grey’s Resort.

Return to Paradise Beach

The newly opened ‘Return to Paradise Resort’ is located on a beach in the Matautu-Lefaga village – a place that even the Samoans call special. In addition to its 61 rooms, white sandy beaches and mineral pools, the resort’s honeymoon suite offers the ultimate in luxury, set directly on the beach front with its own private veranda and plunge pool. For couples looking for a truly unique experience, the hotel’s dedicated wedding planner is on-hand to create an unforgettable day. Prices start from £278 per night for the Honeymoon Suite.

The refurbished ‘Aggie Grey’s Resort’ re-opens this January as a Starwood Hotel and is situated along a 100-metre long white-sand beach, just a five-minute drive from Faleolo International Airport. Modern and spacious, the rooms open out onto ground floor or first floor balconies with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Couples can indulge in both rest and relaxation at the Manaia Polynesian spa and action and adventure out on the water with complimentary use of sea kayaks. The resort also boasts an 18-hole championship golf course set in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland. Special opening rates start from £137 per night plus VAT and run until 15 July 2015.

Opening 01 May 2015 (TBC), the ‘Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows’ will present the utmost in contemporary design with plush interiors and a stylish finish. Situated just three miles east of the country’s capital, Apia, it is the perfect setting for couples looking to venture out of the hotel and embrace the island’s all-encompassing Fa’a Samoa culture as the clock ticks on Samoan time. Just a few minutes’ walk away is the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve where the waters are teeming with stunning sea life. Visitors can charter a boat, swim with turtles and watch the sun set over the South Pacific Ocean.

Celebrate the 120th Anniversary of Robert Louis Stevenson’s death

Today, 3 December 2014 marks the 120th anniversary of celebrated Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson’s death – he died in Samoa and is buried at the top of Mount Vaea near Apia.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson is best known for his works Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Stevenson lived in Samoa from 1889 until his death in 1894, living in Samoa and travelling the South Pacific inspired him to write further works including The Wrecker (1892), Island Nights' Entertainments (1893), The Ebb-Tide (1894) and In the South Seas (1896). These works are said to be more powerful than his earlier works as he included more of the everyday world in the stories, bringing him lasting fame. Robert Louis Stevenson loved Samoa and was loved by the Samoan people who named him Tusitala – ‘writer of tales’. 

To celebrate the occasion the Samoa Tourism Authority in conjunction with Polynesian Xplorer have put together two tours for travellers to experience the Treasured Islands for themselves:

5 nights twin share at the Tanoa Tusitala hotel costs from £336.50 per person includes 5 nights in a deluxe room, airport transfers, a half day Apia Experience (including entry to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum).

5 nights twin share at the Orator Hotel costs from £231.50 per person and includes 5 nights in a standard villa, airport transfers, a half day Apia Experience (including entry to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum).

For more information on Samoa see www.samoa.travel

*Offers subject to availability and please check with supplier for other terms and conditions

Manu Samoa takes to Twickenham this Saturday

With only three days until England and Samoa take to the pitch at Twickenham, both teams are gearing up for what will be the fourth match between the two sides at Twickenham and the first match since 2010.

Manu Samoa’s match with England is their last fixture of their European tour and the match is highly anticipated with both teams being both highly ranked and regarded for their fierce determination and presence on the field.

The Samoa Tourism Authority ran a business card draw at World Travel Market 2014 to win two tickets to the match and lucky winner Gareth Morgan from Edwin Doran will be in the stands this Saturday to witness the two teams battle it out.

The match this November precedes a historic test match taking place next July in Apia. The match will see Manu Samoa take on world champions the All Blacks ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup being held here in the UK next September.  

Samoa Tourism Authority at WTM 2014

Samoa launches new Smart Guide app at WTM 2014

The Samoa Tourism Authority exhibited at World Travel Market 2014 with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation and launched the Samoa Smart Guide app, developed by destination management company Polynesian Xplorer.

Samoa Tourism Authority announced the re-opening of the Return to Paradise Resort (16 October 2014), and the re-opening of the first international brand hotels Starwood’s Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort 22 December 2014 and the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel 01 May 2015.

The Samoa Smart Guide app expertly plays the role of a local insider’s guide to Samoa; where to stay, dine, entertainment, local handicrafts and artists etc and allows you to connect to local businesses and services on the island. With no 3G or data roaming required it’s perfect for an island that is known as ‘off the GPS’!

Visitors to the stand entered a business card draw to win two rugby tickets to the QBE International England vs Samoa match at Twickenham (the sport is Samoa’s second religion!) and the lucky winner was Gareth Morgan from Edwin Doran Sports Tours.

The new Travel Trade Manager for the Samoa Tourism Authority UK and Europe, Davina Took, participated in WTM as an exhibitor for the first time having visited in the past as a buyer with former employer Cleveland Travel Group.

New Travel Trade Manager Davina Took at the Samoa stand with Liz Martin, Product Manager at Destinology.

Business card prize draw for two tickets to the QBE Intertaional England vs Samoa match at Twickenham this November.

Samoa Highlights New 'Samoa Smart Guide' App And Opening Of New Resorts At 2014 World Travel Market Stand AS265 - And Agents Can Win Tickets To The Rugby!

The Samoa Tourism Authority will be exhibiting at World Travel Market 2014 with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation and will be promoting the launch of the Samoa Smart Guide app by destination management company Polynesian Xplorer, the re-opening of the Return to Paradise Resort (16 October 2014), Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort (22 December 2014) and the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel (01 May 2015).

Samoa Smart Guide App

The Samoa Smart Guide app expertly plays the role of local insider’s guide to Samoa; where to stay, dine, entertainment, local handicrafts and artists etc and allows you to connect to local businesses and services on the island. With no 3G or data roaming required it’s perfect for an island that is known as ‘off the GPS’!

Newly opened Return to Paradise Resort is located on a beach in the Matautu-Lefaga village that even the Samoans call special. In addition to its 61 rooms on offer, white sandy beaches and mineral pools, the resort is proudly 100% Samoan owned and operated. Every penny spent at the resort is creating jobs and helping develop local economies across the island.

The refurbished ‘Aggie Grey’s Resort’ is set to re-open this December as a Starwood Hotel situated along a 100-metre white sand beach, just a five-minute drive from Faleolo International Airport. Modern and spacious, the rooms will open out onto ground floor or first floor balconies with stunning scenes of the Pacific Ocean. The hotel will offer both rest and relaxation at the Manaia Polynesian spa and action out on the water with complimentary use of sea kayaks.

Manu Samoa

Samoa Tourism Authority representatives will also use WTM as an opportunity to highlight significant anniversaries, celebrations and upcoming events for the country. As a nation that treats rugby like a second religion, excitement is already building as the world champion All Blacks will play a historic test match in July 2015 as the two nations play in Samoa for the first time. Looking at the tail end of 2014, the national rugby team Manu Samoa will make their way to the UK to play England at Twickenham on 22 November - agents and tour operators should visit the stand for a chance to win two tickets! On 03 December, it will be the 120^th anniversary of famous storyteller Robert Louis Stevenson’s death, in Vailima Samoa, where he lived during the last years of his life and is buried.

Product/Contract/Sales managers can also visit the stand to put in an application for a place on the upcoming Samoa Tourism Exchange, 11 – 15 May 2015. The exchange will include a fully-hosted FAM Trip with return flights and tickets to the Samoa Tourism Exchange Roadshow. 

Samoa's Untouched Beauty Provides A Breathtaking Backdrop For Nuptials And Newlyweds

SAMOA’S UNTOUCHED BEAUTY PROVIDES A BREATHTAKING BACKDROP FOR NUPTIALS AND NEWLYWEDS

As dawn breaks on the morning of ‘the big day’, couples can be the first in the world to marry on their chosen date as Samoa is the first country to see the sun rise. The group of islands are fast becoming a popular destination for couples to tie the knot and newlyweds to begin their new adventure together.

Many hotels, resorts and tour operators offer wedding and honeymoon packages with in-house wedding coordinators to ensure smooth planning of the big day. They will also be able to assist with the application forms for a marriage license which must be filed fourteen days prior to the wedding with the Justice Department in Apia. Whether it is a traditional, formal service in a church or a more informal location by a cascading waterfall, Samoa’s breathtaking scenery will provide a picture perfect backdrop for one of the most memorable days in a person’s life.

Newlyweds looking for a honeymoon hideaway can live the life of luxury with a stay in a luxury villa or the honeymoon villa at the Seabreeze Resort, voted one of the Top Ten Hotels for Romance in the South Pacific by the 2013 Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Awards. Relax, dine and indulge whilst lazing on a hammock soaking up the sun or watching the starry skies. The newly opened Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa continues the theme of relaxation with a stunning boutique retreat that oozes luxury and comfort as couples can unwind with sublime spa treatments.

Samoa’s rich cultural heritage can be explored through the Museum of Samoa, the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and the Apia Fish Market. For those that like to live a bit more of an active lifestyle, soft adventure activities range from snorkelling through the coral reefs to the rainforest canopy walkway along a hang bridge on the island of Savaii and the Falease’ela River Walk through Samoa’s pristine natural environment. Couples can also embark on their own road-trip, hiring a car and exploring the different islands at their own pace.

The Treasured Islands of the South Pacific and the true heart of Polynesia; the islands of Samoa are a paradise waiting to be explored and possess the ideal attraction for every type of wedding and honeymoon. Whether it’s an island hopping adventure, tranquil beach paradise or a once in a lifetime trip, a celebration of love and unity may well end with falling in love with Samoa itself.

SAMOA’S ANNUAL TEUILA FESTIVAL, 25 AUGUST – 06 SEPTEMBER 2014, IN ITS 24th YEAR

A true celebration of Samoan and Polynesian culture, the Teuila Festival is an annual event now in its 24th year, with many activities and shows being held across the country, particularly in Apia, Samoa’s capital city. The festival is named after the bright red teuila flower, the national flower of Samoa and is frequently seen around the islands. This year’s festival will be running from 25 August to 06 September. Visitors will experience Samoan dance, arts, gastronomy and even traditional tattooing. www.teuilafestivalsamoa.com.

Every year thousands pour into the capital to witness the extravanganza that is the Opening Ceremony, held this year on 01 September. The opening is a proud display of Samoan culture with a floral parade, the Siva Afi fire knife dancers and native music setting the scene for a further five days of festival fun.  Another spectacular display is the Chief’s Fiafia show, where iconic dances and entertainment represent the cultural heritage of different South Pacific Islands.

The Festival has much in store for those who like to dabble in the creative side of things, with arts and crafts fairs providing the opportunity to partake in traditional weaving lessons, wood carving and cocktail competitions, which take place every day at the Samoa Cultural Village. Visitors can also see the long-established art of tattooing the Samoan way, a skill that has been passed down from generation to generation to create distinctive warrior-like designs. Food lovers will find their calling among the many food stalls serving up Samoa’s local specialities and a traditional Umu demonstration on the Wednesday will see food served from an underground oven to feed the crowds.

There are many other activities and events taking place throughout the week including the fautasi, traditional Samoan long-boat, regatta, the Best of Samoa show, Miss Samoa Pageant and the Scotsman’s Trail (a land and water based challenge where participants will traverse the island). On the last day as the festival draws to a close, visitors are encouraged to come to the official prize giving ceremony to honour all those who have participated over the week. For more information on Samoa and the Teuila Festival, visit www.samoa.travel.