More than 200 Chinese arrived in Samoa on Sunday, on a historic inaugural direct flight from the People’s Republic of China. Five more weekly flights, with the same number of passengers, are scheduled to arrive over the next few weeks.
Samoa Observer quotes the Samoa Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer, Pativaine Petaia Tevita, saying she sees great benefits from these significant flights with the passengers pouring in more for the economy through the tourism sector.
“It’s something our country had long planned and prepared for especially with the Chinese market,” she said.
The passengers are mostly business people from China in a major achievement. which has been 10 years in the making, including the signing of the Air Rights Agreement between Samoa and China in 2015.
The return flights present a unique opportunity not only for direct travel from Apia to mainland China, but also for Samoan export products for the vast Chinese market.
The direct flights, operated by Hainan Airlines, originate from the Haikou Meilan International Airport and are a collaboration between Hong Kong-based Travel Focus and Aggie Greys Hotel.
The passengers will be in Samoa for seven days and they will be accommodated at the St. Therese Resort and Retreat, Samoa Traditional Resort, Le Ric Accommodation, Alec Accommodation, Moatoga Hotel, Hotel Elisa and Le Sanita Hotel.
Chinese tourists welcomed at an ava ceremony/Samoa Observer
