17 Mar 2008

American Samoa's Senate approves establishment of visitors bureau

5:28 am on 17 March 2008

American Samoa's Senate has unanimously approved, in the third reading, the Administration bill to establish a semi independent American Samoa Visitors Bureau.

The Senate voted 13-0 to approve the bill which has already been passed by the House of Representatives.

Under the bill the bureau will take over the functions of the Tourism Office, now under the Department of Commerce or DOC.

At a date to be fixed by the governor the Office of Tourism will be dissolved.

All employees of the Tourism Office whom the bureau does not retain will be transferred to DOC.

The Visitors Bureau will be overseen by a seven member board comprising government and private sector officials with one member representing the US National Park Service.