Samoa Strengthens Culinary Tourism in 2026 with Regional Collaboration and Capacity Building to Boost Agritourism and Sustainable Travel Growth

Samoa, a Pacific island paradise, is poised for a transformative shift in its tourism sector. The recent Gastronomy Tourism Workshop, held in November 2025, marks the beginning of a groundbreaking initiative to integrate culinary tourism with sustainable travel practices. As Samoa seeks to carve out a unique identity within the agrifood tourism sector, the island nation is embracing the power of food as a vital cultural and economic driver. This initiative, led by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) in partnership with the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA), has highlighted the incredible potential for Samoa’s gastronomy tourism to boost local economies while preserving the rich culinary heritage that makes the region so distinctive.

Food has always played a central role in Samoan culture, but now it is taking on an entirely new dimension within the context of tourism. The Samoa Tourism Authority and local gastronomy expert Leiataua Jerry Brunt collaborated to bring together 50 passionate participants from the tourism and agriculture sectors, demonstrating the growing interest and momentum of agrifood tourism in the region. With support from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), FAO Mountain Partnership, and the Government of Italy, the workshop showcased how Samoa can leverage its agriculture and gastronomy to create authentic and immersive travel experiences. These efforts aim to build stronger connections between tourism and local farming, bridging the gap that often separates visitors from the authentic local experiences that define Samoa.

This strategic initiative in Samoa is a catalyst for the future of culinary tourism in the Pacific Islands, with significant implications for sustainable tourism and agritourism growth across the region. With its focus on local ingredients, traditional knowledge, and authentic storytelling, Samoa is not just enhancing its food culture—it is creating an entirely new tourism pathway that benefits local farmers, businesses, and the entire tourism ecosystem.

Samoa’s Gastronomy Tourism Strategy: Local Roots, Global Appeal

The Gastronomy Tourism Workshop in Samoa was not just a one-off event; it is part of a broader strategy to develop and promote gastronomy tourism as a cornerstone of Samoa’s tourism offering. This initiative aims to celebrate and promote Samoan culinary traditions while creating sustainable travel experiences that respect and showcase the island’s agriculture and food culture.

At the heart of this development is the realization that food tourism can be an enormous economic driver, influencing everything from farmers’ livelihoods to the broader tourism infrastructure. The workshop’s success underscores the increasing importance of integrating local agriculture into tourism offerings. By focusing on locally sourced food and traditional cooking practices, Samoa is fostering a tourism model that is both culturally enriching and economically beneficial.

Reviving and Showcasing Traditional Cuisine

One of the key highlights of the workshop was the presentation by Savaii Koko, a cocoa farming group that demonstrated how local cocoa farming and traditional cooking practices can create memorable visitor experiences. Samoa is known for its high-quality cocoa—a key ingredient in many of its local dishes—and the group showed how these indigenous products can be transformed into tourism experiences. Visitors could learn about the chocolate-making process, from farm to table, while experiencing the cultural heritage behind each dish.

In addition, Samoa Women’s Association of Growers (SWAG) shared its efforts to link farmers directly with tourism operators, showcasing the potential for women-led agriculture to provide new, impactful experiences for visitors. This initiative is essential in helping women farmers gain access to the growing agritourism market and ensuring they benefit from the economic opportunities created by food tourism.

Partnerships to Strengthen Agritourism and Resilience

At the workshop, collaborations between farmers, tour operators, hoteliers, and research institutions were at the forefront. The National University of Samoa (NUS) presented its research into agritourism training, showcasing how educational initiatives and innovation could contribute to sector resilience. The importance of training and capacity building for both farmers and tourism operators was emphasized as a key part of Samoa’s long-term plan to make gastronomy tourism a central pillar of the tourism industry.

The creation of a Samoa National Agritourism Strategy is already underway. This strategic document will be a blueprint for the island nation to grow its agritourism sector sustainably, providing guidance for tour operators, farmers, government agencies, and the private sector on how to work together to maximize the potential of food tourism.

Building a Sustainable Culinary Tourism Ecosystem

The workshop also focused on sustainable practices that can be incorporated into agritourism. With the UNWTO, FAO, and other international partners backing this initiative, Samoa is moving forward with a sustainable tourism strategy that promotes eco-friendly farming, local food sourcing, and cultural preservation. This approach ensures that gastronomy tourism not only drives economic growth but also contributes to the long-term environmental health of the island’s ecosystems.

By connecting farmers with tourism operators, hotels, and restaurants, the island is creating a cohesive food system that strengthens the local economy and highlights the importance of local produce. This network benefits everyone—from the small-scale farmer who grows indigenous crops to the local chef who prepares traditional dishes that showcase the island’s culinary richness.

The Role of Food in Shaping Sustainable Tourism

Food is not just about nourishment—it is a cultural expression, a story passed down through generations, and an essential part of Samoan identity. As tourism evolves, food culture is becoming an integral part of the narrative, enhancing the visitor experience by introducing them to the island’s unique flavors and traditional cooking methods. The Gastronomy Tourism Workshop demonstrated how food can be a powerful tool for building connections between locals and visitors, fostering cultural pride, and supporting economic development.

Samoa’s Road Ahead: The Impact of Culinary Tourism

The Samoan tourism sector is poised for significant growth in 2026, and gastronomy tourism will play a critical role in driving this transformation. As the island strengthens its connections between agriculture and tourism, the local community will see enhanced economic opportunities, and visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the Samoan way of life.

For Samoan farmers, this shift represents a chance to diversify their income streams and tap into the lucrative tourism market. By connecting their products to tourism experiences, farmers will have a new platform to showcase their work, tell their stories, and sell their goods directly to consumers. For tourism operators, this means a greater opportunity to develop authentic experiences that align with the growing global demand for sustainable travel.

Culinary Tourism as a Driver of Change

As gastronomy tourism continues to gain momentum, it will become an essential aspect of the island’s overall tourism strategy. By prioritizing sustainability, education, and collaboration, Samoa is positioning itself as a leader in agrifood tourism in the Pacific region. This will not only create long-term economic resilience for the island but will also ensure that local farmers, chefs, and tourism operators can thrive in a future built on authenticity and sustainability.

Conclusion: A Flavorful Future for Samoa

Samoa is at the forefront of a culinary tourism revolution that is poised to transform the Pacific region. With its rich agricultural heritage, vibrant food culture, and commitment to sustainability, the Gastronomy Tourism Workshop is just the beginning of an exciting journey toward a more inclusive, resilient, and flavorful tourism future. As Samoa moves forward with its National Agritourism Strategy, the world will discover not only the beauty of the island’s beaches and jungles but also the depth of its culinary identity, all while contributing to a sustainable and economically thriving tourism sector.

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Fiji Airways Launches New Direct Route Between Gold Coast and Nadi, Boosting its Tourism, Economic Impact and Regional Connectivity

Fiji Airways has rolled out a new route, which will see it offer direct flights to and from Gold Coast Airport in Australia to Nadi International Airport in Fiji, effective June 11, 2026. The airline has been targeting an expansion of its domestic and international routes as it seeks to offer its customers access to holidays and vacations in the Pacific Islands, which are among the most popular destinations around the globe. The Boeing 737 MAX8 plane, which has been scheduled to run this route, is an efficient plane that will enable tourists to easily access Fiji.

Gold Coast-Nadi route launch is an important milestone not only for Fiji Airways but also the tourism environment of Australia and the Pacific. It will provide convenient flights between Australia and Fiji. The flights are expected to boost the tourism industry as well as the economy between the Pacific and the Australian markets.

Future Travel Impact: Boosting Tourism and Economic Growth

The launch of this direct flight route is set to have a long-term impact on both tourism and the economy in both regions. The Gold Coast-Nadi route will enhance tourism flows between Australia and Fiji, encouraging more visitors from Australia to explore the cultural and natural beauty of Fiji while offering Fijian residents a more efficient travel option to reach Australia.

As Fiji Airways strengthens its position as a key regional airline, the route will help foster tourism growth by increasing visitor numbers, with a particular focus on both leisure tourism and business travel. This direct connection will allow for greater tourism exchanges, cultural immersion, and exploration of both Australia’s and Fiji’s offerings, contributing to long-term economic growth for both destinations.

The introduction of this service also supports the regional economy, with projections for a $51 million boost to the Gold Coast economy, further emphasizing the route’s economic importance. The increased demand for accommodation, tourism services, and local retail will result in job creation and business opportunities, particularly in the aviation, hospitality, and transportation sectors.

Strengthening Regional Connectivity: A Gateway to the Pacific

The Gold Coast-Nadi direct flights further solidify Fiji Airways’ role in regional connectivity between Australia and the Pacific Islands. This service enhances the existing flight options between the two regions, providing faster travel and increasing the accessibility of key Pacific destinations such as Fiji, Vanuatu, and Samoa. As Fiji Airways continues to expand its network, it strengthens the Pacific region’s tourism infrastructure, ensuring travelers can more easily explore the cultural and natural wonders of the Pacific Islands.

This route also serves as a gateway for travelers looking to connect to destinations further afield, such as North America and Asia, through Nadi’s international connections. The future impact of this enhanced regional connectivity will not only help boost tourism numbers but also promote business and trade between Australia and the Pacific Islands.

The Future of Tourism: Expanding Travel Opportunities for Both Regions

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast-Nadi route will have a lasting impact on the future of tourism in both Australia and Fiji. By connecting Fiji to one of Australia’s busiest tourist hubs, this new flight is expected to increase year-round demand for both leisure and business travel between the two destinations. With growing interest in eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural exchange, this route will contribute to sustaining and growing tourism for both countries over the coming years.

As global travel trends continue to evolve, Fiji Airways is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for direct flights to key Pacific destinations, ensuring that Fiji and Australia remain competitive in the tourism sector. The new connection also supports the airline’s long-term growth strategy, which aims to expand access to more international markets and improve global connectivity.

A Bright Future for Fiji Airways and Regional Tourism

The establishment of the direct flight from the Gold Coast to Nadi in 2026 will mark a major milestone in tourism development in the region. As the tourism industry in the region receives the benefits of the easier access to tourism that the flight offers, it will make major contributions to the development of the tourism industry in the Pacific.

The positive impacts that the tourism industry will witness due to the increase in tourist movements and the subsequent increase in financial gains will have long-term effects on the tourism industry in both Australia and Fiji. The contributions that Fiji Airways will make through the expansion of its flight network to various destinations across the globe will make definitive contributions to the development of the tourism industry in the Pacific.

Image Source: Fiji Airways

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