Need For More

Accommodation In

American Samoa

The influx of tourists in American Samoa is increasing so fast that it is already neces sary to increase the number of rooms at the new Pago Pago

International Hotel, opened in

December, and to think about building a new hotel.

AMERICAN Samoa’s Governor, Mr. H. Rex Lee, said this at the opening session of the territory’s Ninth Legislature in Pago Pago in mid-March.

“I am happy to report to you that the prospects are that our new hotel will be turning away people by late summer,” the Governor said. “I have told the American Samoan Develop ment Corporation that we need 60 additional rooms immediately and the ASDC is already involved in planning them.

“The addition to the existing hotel will not be enough. We are going to have to start concerning ourselves with the construction of an entirely new hotel. This will create many, many more management positions for Samoans and bring additional money into the territory.” Governor Lee said there was also a need to establish a strong tourism promotional program.

“Tourist bureaus elsewhere have carried us along,” he said. “This Legislature must find the means of raising additional funds for a well rounded promotional campaign which will continue after the initial novelty of Samoa as a tourist destination has worn off.”

Speaking of duty-free imports.

Governor Lee said: “When I first came to Samoa, I said that we should move as rapidly as possible towards ending all import duties. We are still raising half a million dollars an nually from this tax. The Legislature must study the means of replacing this income with other revenues so that import taxes can be ended.”

Footnote: American Samoa expects to get some useful publicity soon from the National Geographic Magazine, which is sending Mr.

William A. Allard to the South Pacific on April 3 to photograph and write about American and Western Samoa and other islands in the area.

FORTY air-conditioned rooms and a swimming pool are to be added to Aggie Grey’s Hotel in Apia, Western Samoa.

The first room is expected to be completed within six months and the whole project within 12 months.

The additions will give Aggie’s hotel 86 rooms, and, with the Casino Hotel, make 115 hotel rooms avail able in Apia.