There is confidence Samoa's million dollar tourism industry will be able to bounce back from the destruction caused by the recent tsunami in the Pacific.
An 8.0 magnitude earthquake triggered the devastating waves on 29 September, killing at least 184 people in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.
A Massey University academic who has researched Samoa's beach fale tourism says Asian countries affected by the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 had remarkable recoveries.
The 8.9 magnitude quake under the sea near Aceh in north Indonesia triggered massive waves in the Indian Ocean, killing more than 200,000 people in 13 countries.
Reigna Scheyvens, an associate professor in development studies, says Asian countries affected had remarkable recoveries and there is hope for Samoa.
Ms Scheyvens says the Maldives had more than 600,000 tourists in 2004 when the tsunami hit on 26 December. Though there was a big drop the following year, tourist numbers were back to their peak in 2006.
She says in countries where holiday resorts drew bulk numbers the return of tourists was based on three factors: the natural beauty of the area, the people and their friendly attitude, and value for money.
Ms Scheyvens says countries that have had health scares, such as Hong Kong with severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), have also proven they can make a comeback.
However, she says tourists will want a credible verification that it is safe to return.
