‘Leave your suits at home.’
That’s the travel advisory message from Samoa’s prime minister ahead of her tiny Pacific nation hosting one of the world’s most prestigious meeting of world leaders next month, in what will mark a series of firsts.
It will be the first Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting to be attended by King Charles since ascending the throne last year and the first ever to be held in the Pacific.
The always smiling Samoans, often referred to as the friendliest people on the planet, are excited, and just a little nervous, as preparations reach fever pitch ahead of the 21-23 October meeting.
This Polynesian paradise has a wonderful reputation for hosting holidaymakers from across the world seeking the ultimate unspoiled getaway in this tropical haven. But hosting the heads of state from 56 Commonwealth nations and their substantial entourage is a giant step up for Samoa.
It will test Samoa’s capacity to take its place on the world stage with what are expected to be record visitor numbers. Security will be at the highest level in the country’s history, and the hotels and resorts playing host to kings and prime ministers are now putting the finishing touches to significant upgrades of their facilities.
Samoa’s first female Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, exudes confidence in her video message to delegates, setting the scene for what is expected to be a CHOGM like no other.
‘This is going to be an island CHOGM. Can I tell you it’s warm in October, so please don’t wear your suits? We will provide you, as we always do, with a uniform for the leaders but in your packing please do consider that you are coming to an island, and we want you to be comfortable. We look forward to welcoming you in true island style and we will show you a part of the world that possibly many of you have never travelled to before,’ the prime minister said.
The boutique waterfront resort where the British royals will be staying is currently in overdrive, counting down the days till they host their first royal visit.
The award-winning Sinalei Reef and Spa Resort is nestled within a sheltered lagoon on the south coast of Upolu Island, about a 30-minute drive from Samoa’s capital, Apia where the key CHOGM meetings will take place.
With carefully manicured lawns and lush tropical gardens overlooking a white sandy beach and coral reef, management at Sinalei believe their property really is fit for a king. Renovations on the presidential suite are ongoing and the resort’s owner, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale is overseeing the meticulous preparations with plans to close the resort for seven days ahead of the monarch’s arrival to ensure everything is looking its best.
‘Of course, the staff are quietly excited about the possibility of serving royalty and we are humbled by the fact we have been chosen,’ Annandale said.
He has no doubt the Sinalei team will make a great impression ‘keeping with Samoa’s reputation for offering great hospitality.’
‘It’s the people that make our place so special and there’s no denying the Samoan people are just natural; they serve from the heart, and they possess a very strong living culture.
‘When they’re here it will be wonderful for their majesties to be able to see and experience some of our culture. Be it song and dance, our food, and hopefully a visit to a local village to see how we live.’
“And as with all our guests, we hope when their majesties leave, they say ‘boy that was even better than we expected’,” Annandale said.
At the neighbouring Coconuts Beach Club Resort, which boasts Samoa’s only over the water fales, manager Lina Bell is preparing for a CHOGM ‘full house’ with the majority of her guests coming from Great Britain.
Like so many resorts in Samoa and the Pacific, Coconuts has struggled to survive the significant impact of climate change, including a destructive tsunami and several cyclones, combined with two years of lockdown during the pandemic.
‘We’ve seen many changes but the one thing that will never change are the smiles and the kindness of the Samoan people,” Bell said.
While Samoa’s hotels will be tested like never before, so too will the entire nation’s infrastructure.
To help the small nation to cope, schools will close for a week to allow 300 teachers to support the event, a special ward will be created at the hospital especially for the delegates to ensure they get the best medical care, and in what’s sure to be a first for a CHOGM meeting village chiefs and councils will provide back up for police in maintaining law and order.
New Zealand is sending a cruise ship to host any overflow of delegates and Apia’s wharf will be closed for a week as part of the special security measures.
The Samoan government has allocated $30 million (US$11 million) specifically for the event but expects to reap more than $1 billion (US$369 million) as a result of the many initiatives and activities associated with CHOGM and the future tourism benefits coming from the money-can’t-buy publicity and media coverage expected to flow from the event.
Everyone involved with delivering this historic meeting is receiving special training, from housekeeping and wait staff to taxi drivers and tour guides.
During a full day tour of southern Upolu, Apia based tour guide Sepasitiano Paulo said ‘we want to show King Charles the same special hospitality we showed his mother many years ago.’
He’s hoping to be able to drive CHOGM’s delegates and their partners the natural beauty of this magical island nation. In a half day tour guests can take in spectacular waterfalls, snorkel with turtles and giant clams and swim in the turquoise waters of the famous Sua Ocean Trench.
An island tour will also pass by the villages which are pulling out all stops to ready themselves for CHOGM with a major spruce up. Supported by small government grants, the village elders have adopted a Commonwealth nation and are decorating the main road in the colours of their chosen country.
Samoa has set its sights on hosting an unforgettable CHOGM. Just a matter of weeks out, in traditional Samoan style of course, this may well turn out to be the best CHOGM ever. It will certainly be the most chilled out.