By Staff Writer
The Samoa Airways General Manager, Seiuli Alvin Tua, is startled by published comments critical of domestic flights restarting for Savaii, from the local tourism industry.
Seiuli did not give details of the comments except surprise at the Samoa Hotel Association, SHA, and Samoa Savaii Tourism Association, SSTA.
He is unsure at the reaction by the SSTA President who is a member of the Tourism Board.
SHA and the SSTA are also part of the Tourism Task Force.
The strained relations may have to do with a breakdown in communications Seiuli hinted at in a statement circulated to the local media.
“There was never a lack of communication on any part from the airline” Seiuli reacted by pointing to meetings between Samoa Airways and the local tourism sector.
The national carrier is yet to fly to Savaii after announcing the re-starting of flights to the big island weeks ago last August.
Seiuli argued, however, that they have worked together with the Samoa Tourism Authority of the past weeks to “…communicate the Savai’i services using various media channels, including Radio, TV and Newspapers.”
He said the approach was to centralize marketing and communications of the services.
“Samoa Airways is grateful to our Tourism Authority team for their efforts and support from the industry stakeholders as SHA and SSTA for the Savai’i services to become a reality.”
Samoa Airways current one-way fare of $89 is being weighed up by travellers against the much cheaper costs of travel by boat between the islands.
The more recent flight scheduled last week to get the carrier back in the air was ‘re-scheduled’ because of ‘low bookings’.
“Operating cost for any flight is not cheap. The length of the flight does not change the price of fuel or airport and passenger charges. That cost is spread over the number of seats on an aircraft, which is far less than seats on the ferry.”
Samoa Airways now plans to launch services on Friday 09th October coinciding with the busy White Sunday weekend.
Seiuli said the airline “looks forward to welcoming our people on board its flights to and from Savai’i.”
He called on the support from the Savaii hoteliers by taking advantage of inclusive weekend packages offered for the service.
Over the past weeks Samoa Airways and Samoa Tourism Authority have worked together to communicate the Savai’i services using various media channels, including Radio, TV and Newspapers.
