With no more international visitors to the country due to the global pandemic, one of the avenues that businesses and operators have taken advantage of is their services through food and beverages.
London, UK – Samoa Tourism Industry members have utilised opportunities and ongoing support from the Government through the second phase of the SAT$1million Tourism Stimulus Package, with the professional capacity building and development of staff during the travel restrictions.
With no more international visitors to the country due to the global pandemic, one of the avenues that businesses and operators have taken advantage of is their services through food and beverages. These are catered for at hotel-restaurants and other eateries around the country.
The Food and Beverage Training ‘when life gives you pineapples, you make smoothies’, with Bar Servicing Skills – was delivered by the Australia Pacific Training Coalition for five days at various locations throughout the country. The Training focussed mostly on creating simple mocktails utilising local produce with the opportunity for participants to create their own concoction from available ingredients provided. Creativity and originality were two skills greatly outlined by the participants throughout the Training.
The Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) in partnership with the Industry, have stimulated demand and the appetite for business within the local market, as the focus continues on domestic tourism with the promotion of packages, accommodation specials, and activities for families.
“These trainings play a big part in preparing and refining services by the local tourism Industry for when borders open up, in which the Authority continues to be in touch with overseas markets on possible scenarios for Samoa if travel resumes sometime this year.” Said STA CEO, Faamatuainu Lenata’i Suifua.
“Participants graduating with these internationally accredited qualifications will be more than ready and on standby to cater for visitors once borders open up, and will also have the opportunity to find employment regionally and globally.” Faamatuainu added.
The training courses hosted by various hotels and accommodations throughout Upolu and Savaii are recognised internationally and implemented in partnership with STA, the National University of Samoa (NUS), the Samoa Business Hub (SBH) and the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC).
The initiative has benefitted more than seven hundred displaced employees and those working on reduced hours within the Tourism Industry due to Covid-19, with short and formal courses since the initiative began in September last year.
To date, Samoa remains COVID free.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
