Hotelbeds signs deal to promote Samoa to agents in Australia and New Zealand

Campaign will promote proximity of island nation during COVID-19 travel restrictions

The South Pacific island nation of Samoa is to work in partnership with Hotelbeds to drive more visitors from Australia and New Zealand through the bed bank’s trade distribution.

The campaign will focus on travel between the countries while restrictions remain in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will focus on introducing Samoa as a tourist destination to travel agents by highlighting proximity to Australia and New Zealand as well as its hospitality and nature.

The campaign, which runs from the end of May to the end of August, will be available through Hotelbeds’ Bedsonline travel agent brand and Hotelbeds wholesale distribution.

As part of the deal, Hotelbeds will contract more hotels in Samoa and have access to exclusive rates to make available to its network of buyers.

Gareth Matthews, marketing, communications and CSR director at Hotelbeds, said: “We are very pleased to finally launch this partnership with Samoa Tourism Authority that was initiated in early 2020 but placed on hold due to COVID.

“We remained in constant contact with Samoa throughout the pandemic and we are happy that they have partnered with us to help them fuel their recovery efforts.

“This campaign will enable us to capture the pent-up demand from our Australian and New Zealand agents while educating them on the destination.

“Our partnership will make it possible to extend our portfolio of suppliers in the country that we will distribute to more than 60,000 agents worldwide, but we will also secure exclusive promotional rates for our Australia and NZ agents in order for them to book when the time is right.”

Fa’amatuainu Lenata’i Suifua, chief executive of the Samoa Tourism Authority, added: “Samoa Tourism Authority is delighted to enter into a partnership with Hotelbeds.

“This has been a strategic decision for us as we believe there will be a huge demand for international travel when borders are eased.

“We feel that Hotelbeds is able to help us achieve a wide reach and educate those that are considering a trip to our beautiful country. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with them.”