The Samoan Government has announced it will be reopening its border to international travellers in August or September this year.
Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa confirmed the country will welcome back Samoan citizens and foreign contractors from May and allow travellers into the country from August/September 2022.
However, the reopening is subject to Samoa’s vaccination progress and the removal of restrictions to facilitate quarantine-free travel.
The pandemic has significantly impacted Samoa’s travel and tourism industry since its border closed in March 2020.
The country says it is now eager to receive travellers who will aid in the island’s economic recovery after two years of pandemic-related challenges.
The Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) has been busily working hard behind the scenes with local operators and national bodies to ensure the Pacific nation is ready for the influx of travellers in the coming months.
A series of developments and new processes have been actioned to make Samoa travel-ready, ensuring that the health and safety of locals and international travellers are of the utmost priority.
Samoa’s robust preparations include its version of the digital tracing app, upskilling for local employees, upgraded travel instructions and bolstered testing capabilities.
Samoa Tourism Authority’s acting CEO, Dwayne Bentley, says he is excited to get Samoa back on the radar as a must-see destination, particularly as worldwide travel restrictions ease and consumer confidence grows.
“As international travel begins to take shape again, Samoa has been striving to ensure critical components of our travel-ready toolkit are in place. All of these efforts ensure we are in a top position to open borders to travellers safely,” he said.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors with open arms later this year, and we encourage travellers to experience Samoa’s untouched beauty, unique cultural experiences, rich heritage and friendly locals for themselves.”
With Samoa being just a five and a half hour flight from Australia, the journey into paradise is a short one that can be enjoyed by singles, couples, families and diaspora.
For more information on Samoa’s travel guidelines and inspiration on things to do while visiting Samoa, visit the Samoa Tourism Authority website.