Tourist Development In Samoa

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31269, 16 January 1967, Page 7

Tourist Development In Samoa

Western Samoa has now emerged from an “anti - tourism” attitude, and is making every effort to foster a tourist industry.

With this aim in view, its Department of Economic Development is issuing plenty of publicity material, and a three-day “visitor conference,” for tourist planning, will he held at Apia in May.

Tourism in both Western and American Samoa, and Tonga, is expected to show spectacular growth as a result of this conference. The 300 hotel rooms expected to be available for tourists this year should soon be increased. Western Samoa leaders once feared that tourism would change long-cherished and respected customs, and i the Samoan way of life, and]

cause them to be lost. This attitude was reversed when leaders decided that tourism, with proper control, would not do so, but would benefit the country economically. No Tipping, No Bikinis

But all tourists will be urged not to violate Samoan customs—and will no doubt be pleased to be told: “Don’t tip. Tipping is neither customary nor expected in Western Samoa.”

Tourists may be less cooperative, however, when told: “Don’t swim in a bikini. Bikinis are not worn in Western Samoa in or out of the water and a woman’s legs are not displayed by wearing shorts.” This prohibition is part of a list of “don’ts” included in a comprehensive illustrated brochure issued by the Department of Economic Development in its drive to expand

tourism. “For centuries, Samoan customs have been respectfully passed from one generation of Samoans to another. A visitor, with the best of intentions, can quite easily degrade them,” the brochure says. Some of the other “don’ts” listed in the brochure are: Don’t address your Samoan hosts in their homes while standing. Sit down cross-legged on a straw mat, and then talk. Don’t

stretch your legs out, unless covered by a mat. Don’t eat while standing inside a Samoan house, or walking in a village. Don’t drive a vehicle when passing in front of an open Samoan house in a village compound where chiefs are holding a meeting. Out of respect for the chiefs, and the dignity of their deliberations, the passer-by is supposed to stop his vehicle and walk past. [How one gets one’s vehicle past, if no road runs behind the house, is not explained.] Don’t create a din in or near a village during early- , evening vesper hours. Don’t walk arm-in-arm with a person of the opposite sex on the street or in a village. It is not customary in Western Samoa to show outward physical affection. Don’t drink a cup of kava, in a kava ceremony, without first tipping a little out

into ground in front of you. Kava, the brochure explains, is the national traditional beverage, and its drinking—at meetings of chiefs, when entertaining important guests, or on occasions of great rejoicing or sorrow—is a sacred and highly-respected ceremony. When served the kava, one must tip out a little of the contents, and while doing say: “Manuia” (good fortune.) One need not drink all the

bowl, but must also tip out what is left before handing the bowl back to the server. Among other “don’ts” are advice not to criticise Samoans in front of Samoans nor to encourage them to drink. Another “don’t,” found everywhere, reminds one not to leave valuables unattended when swimming. The brochure ends with the cheerful advice: “Don’t forget to check your outward bookings.”