SAMOA
SAMOA
Island time
‘# stopitsamoa ’ was the viral hashtag on CIM ’ s recent trip to this South Pacific gem , with every moment surpassing the next , discovers Sheridan Randall .
Those that know the South Pacific say it isn ’ t like it used to be . And then they go to Samoa . Author Robert Louis Stevenson came and never left . They buried him on Mount Vaea , overlooking the capital Apia . His house is still there , saved from decay by a wealthy philanthropist , offering an evocative glimpse into the past . But the allure that cast its spell over Stevenson is as evident today as it was then . This isn ’ t a land that time forgot , it is simply a land that forgot time . Things run at their own pace , in a good way . We all talk of “ island time ”, but in Samoa that ’ s a positive . Rushing here would be akin to madness . What are you rushing to when the moment now is just so perfect ?
Talking time , around two years ago Samoa got the date line shifted , so instead of being the last cab of the clock , they became the first to see in each new day on earth . They also changed from right to left when it came to driving . This wasn ’ t a whim , Samoa was simply aligning itself with its natural tourism markets – Australia and New Zealand .
So what ’ s on offer ? The good news is there is an extensive range of accommodation , from 4- to 5-star corporate accommodation with meeting facilities to match through to boutique resorts perfect for incentive groups seeking exclusivity and privacy . The main conferencing hotels are all in the capital Apia . For those seeking a global brand Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey ' s Hotel & Bungalows ticks all the boxes , but it ’ s not the only hotel that will please a corporate crowd , with Tanoa Tusitala Hotel and newcomer Taumeasina Island Resort meeting international expectations in terms of service and facilities .
Head away from the capital and things slow down somewhat . Stay on the main island Upolu or take the ferry across to Savaii for a wide spectrum of accommodation , nestled against a backdrop of lush hinterland and beautiful
20 Convention & Incentive Marketing , Issue 3 , 2017 www . cimmagazine . com