As a result of the Earthquake and Tsunami that hit the Samoa Islands on Tuesday 29th September 2009, coastal areas of Samoa sustained damages with extensive destruction mainly to the South-South Eastern coast of Upolu Island.
p>As a result of the Earthquake and Tsunami that hit the Samoa Islands on Tuesday 29th September 2009, coastal areas of Samoa sustained damages with extensive destruction mainly to the South-South Eastern coast of Upolu Island.Damages were to resorts, family homes and community buildings, roads, power lines and water supply located along the coastline of the affected areas.
Tourist Accommodation Properties that were most affected include:
Coconuts Beach Club, Resort & Spa Maninoa Surf Camp Sinalei Reef Resort Salani Surf Resort Vavau Beach Bungalows Seabreeze Resort at Paradise Cove Faofao Beach Fales Taufua Beach Fales Litia Sini Beach Resort Namu'a Beach Fales.
As a result, these Resorts and Beach Fale Properties are not available for accommodation.
A few properties in neighboring areas such as Virgin Cove and Le Vasa Resort on Upolu, and Aganoa Surf Retreat in Savaii are still operating, despite facing some degree of damage.
The rest of the Hotel/Beach Fale Accommodation Properties throughout the country are fully functional and continuing normal operations. These properties are accommodating the visitors that have relocated from the affected areas, those arriving into the country needing alternative accommodation due to the cancellations with the damaged properties, as well as the pre-booked and 'walk in' tourists. The Faleolo International Airport, Samoa's main air travel gateway has remained open throughout this time, allowing the Airlines to operate their normal schedule.
Air New Zealand and Polynesian Blue have announced increased capacity and discounted airfares for travel to Samoa respectively. The Samoa Tourism Authority is working in close collaboration with core Government Ministries, the Hotel Industry, the Airlines and the Resident Missions to assist the tourists that were affected by the tsunami, through provision of basic supplies, accommodation and speedy evacuation processes.
STA has also established a Help Link on the Samoa Tsunami Emergency Page of its website www.samoa.travel to assist overseas people trying to locate loved ones who were on island when the natural incident occurred.
