Samoa’s recent plan to attract Chinese visitors has encountered a significant obstacle due to a conflict of interest involving a government minister. The Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, announced that the government has severed ties with a Hong Kong tour company, Samoa Royal Tours, which was responsible for chartering flights. The decision comes after criticism arose regarding the close links between the company and the agriculture and fisheries minister, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt.
During a parliamentary session, Prime Minister Fiame acknowledged the involvement of Minister Schmidt’s children in Samoa Royal Tours and emphasised the importance of adhering to principles of good governance and transparency. This conflict of interest has raised concerns about the integrity of the government’s actions and decision-making processes.
This incident is not the only transparency scandal Samoa’s government has faced recently. In May, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo came under fire for attempting to obtain customs clearance for a relative’s vessel without proper approvals, and he allegedly tried to intimidate a reporter who investigated the matter. These incidents have cast doubts on the government’s commitment to transparency and ethical conduct.
Furthermore, the government denied any endorsement of a Hong Kong-based initiative to launch a Samoa stock exchange, a Samoa cryptocurrency exchange, and a special economic zone. Speculation and misinformation on social media prompted an official statement clarifying that the government was reviewing proposals but had not given any approval or endorsement. The government emphasised the need for a regulated framework to ensure the safety, soundness, and feasibility of such initiatives.
The tourism industry in Samoa has traditionally relied on visitors from Australia and New Zealand, but the government has been keen to tap into the Chinese market. To achieve this, Samoa Tourism Authority appointed Travel Focus Hong Kong to promote Samoa as a destination in mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong. However, the endeavor faced multiple challenges. Established tour agents in Samoa raised concerns about the capacity of the newly established Royal Samoa Tours to carry out tours effectively. Moreover, issues with aviation permits and disrupted passenger ferry services further hindered the plan to attract Chinese visitors.
Prime Minister Fiame, who became Samoa’s first female prime minister in 2021, has been striving to address governance issues and promote transparency in the government. While acknowledging the need for economic development and investments, the government maintains its commitment to ensuring that all proposals and initiatives are thoroughly evaluated and comply with appropriate regulations to protect market users and investors.