24 Feb 2010

Programme launch to help Samoa tsunami-affected budget accommodation providers

5:13 pm on 24 February 2010

Tsunami-affected tourist accommodation providers in Samoa can apply for grants from a new programme.

Samoa's Tourism Tsunami Recovery Programme targetting beach fale and budget tourist accommodation operators is being launched tomorrow.

The Samoa and New Zealand governments have contributed 1.3 million US dollars towards the programme.

The Hotel Association's Chief executive Nynette Sass heads the facilitation committee that's made up of representatives from Samoa Tourism and the Planning and Urban Management Agency to administer grants.

"The focus of this programme is to rebuild the beach fales and the budget accommodation that were devastated by the tsunami last year in September. And this funding that's come through is to build up those operations and bring some livelihood back to those people who were affected."

The Samoa Hotel Association's chief executive Nynette Sass