18 Oct 2005

Samoa expects changes to tourism with airline launch

4:34 pm on 18 October 2005

Samoa's Tourism Authority says the launch of flights by the new airline, Polynesian Blue, will see major changes to local tourism.

The joint venture between the Samoa government and Australia's Virgin Blue airlines, will have its inaugural flight on Sunday week from Auckland to Apia return.

Polynesian Blue will fly passengers into Apia from Auckland New Zealand four times a week and from Sydney Australia three flights a week.

But a representative for Samoa Tourism in Auckland, Fasitau Ula, says Samoa doesn't have the facilities to cater for mass tourism.

"We have to improve infrastructure. There is this new hotel that's just opened in July, and that's Aggie Grey's resort hotel. And there are more hotels opening up with a few in the pipeline."

Samoa Tourism Authority's Fasitau Ula.