MOU SIGNING FOR STA & UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE
REMARKS by the afioga Tuiataga Nathan Bucknall Acting Chairperson, Board Of Directors – Samoa Tourism Authority [Tuesday 06 May 2025]
Chancellor Honorable Patricia Forsythe
Delegation of the University of Newcastle
Samoa Tourism Board of Directors
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Talofa Lava, Afio mai and warm greetings to you all.
It is my pleasure to speak to you all on behalf of the Samoa Tourism Authority at this momentous occasion which will not only formalise and strengthen our partnership but hopefully unlock opportunities for both parties – the University of Newcastle and for Samoa Tourism.
Tourism in Samoa will continue to remain a key pillar and one of Samoa’s main contributors to its GDP. Year after year, there is a growing percentage of tourists visiting Samoa.
To a tourist, it’s a destination for travelling, to relax, to enjoy the lush green environment and our culture; To us it is our home, and to our industry it is their livelihood.
To our communities – tourism has been encompassed into their way of life.
Samoa’s pathway for development outlines the significant role of tourism in safeguarding the economy.
A key priority moving forward is the shift to become a more sustainable destination, improving Climate resilience as well as exploring opportunities for regenerative Tourism.
We acknowledge that the journey to becoming a sustainable destination is not easy, and there will be numerous challenges along the way to achieving our ambitions, however; I am confident the signing of the MOU is a major step in the right direction as we embark on our sustainable journey.
Our partnership will also create a platform for information sharing that contributes to key decision making by the authority and the Tourism Industry.
We value our key responsibilities towards delivering our partnership and are sincerely grateful for the University’s commitment to assisting our Tourism sector and Government of Samoa.
By signing this partnership, it not only formalizes a framework for collaboration; it symbolizes commitment and it plants a seed for growth in Samoa’s Tourism as well as the University.
Faafetai tele lava Honorable Patricia, and your delegation of the University of Newcastle.
We look forward to collaborating with the University in our common interests.
We hope you all enjoy your stay in Samoa.
Soifua ma ia manuia.
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