Despite a favourable exchange rate for tourists, visitor numbers are down for Samoa.
Ministry of Finance statistics show a 1.7 per cent decrease in the number of arrivals to Samoa in March 2007 against the same period last year.
Approximately 11,576 people arrived in Samoa during the monthof March.
Twenty-five per cent of those arriving in the country were returning residents, the remaining arrivals a combination of business and holiday makers.
The reason for visiting A third of which were tourists, those visiting friends/relatives (43 per cent), business related activities (11 per cent), and sporting activities (0.8 per cent).
The most common length of stay was between 8-14 days; nearly two-thirds of visitors choosing to stay in private accommodation.
The most preferred mode of transportation to the country was by air.
More than a third of all visitors arrived from New Zealand, (33.9 per cent). American Samoa provided 23.3 per cent of all arrivals, closely followed by Australia (18.5 per cent).
