IMF Conference at Return to Paradise Resort

The Central Bank of Samoa last month chose Return to Paradise Resort & Spa to host the Central Bank Governors’ Conference and the International Monetary Fund Meeting. Over 80 delegates, including regional leaders of the IMF and the Central Bank Governors of ten nations attended, as well as many partners and also a large number of support staff from the Central Bank of Samoa.

“There is often a perception that because we are on a private beach and not in Apia, that our services will not be as good,” says Resort Assistant General Manager Melanie Toailoa. “This is a misconception. Our clients only need to ask and we can provide almost any facilities and services needed for a conference or high-level meeting.”

The Resort is well prepared for the MICE market (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) with a specialized Events team and a very experienced Activities Team. “We really enjoy delighting our events’ clients with wow-factor theming, bespoke cultural activities and authentic Samoan experiences,” says Melanie.

“We are the only large Samoan owned and operated Resort in Samoa, yet despite our size (85 rooms), we are able to make guests feel they are on a private beach (which they are) in a genuine Samoan village experience,” says Resort Matriarch and General Manager, Ramona Su’a Pale. “This is a real point of difference – we believe that delegates come to Samoa to experience the real Samoa, and that is what we give them, yet still in a totally professional environment. We also want to encourage conferences coming to Samoa to support businesses that are Samoan-owned so that the money spent in our country stays in Samoa.”

“While some see our South Coast location as a disadvantage for conferences, our experience is that conference groups that come here feel quite the opposite,” says Melanie. “We are only 25 minutes’ drive from the airport on a sealed road, so we can settle the delegates in their rooms within an hour of their touchdown. Because we are out of town, conference organizers find that all their delegates go to all the sessions, and all the networking events as well. Yet we are only 35 minutes’ drive from Apia. It really is the best of all worlds.”

For more information about meetings, incentives, conferences and events at Return to Paradise please go to  http://returntoparadiseresort.com/  .