South Pacific Development Group Secures Land Deal for $450 Million Resort in Samoa

    HONOLULU, Aug. 20 /EMWNews/ -- Hawaii-based South Pacific

Development Group (SPDG) has obtained a 120-year lease for 600 acres of

prime oceanfront land on Savaii Island in Samoa to develop the Sasina

Village Resort.



    The luxury resort's first phase will feature a hotel, timeshare units,

championship golf course, and cultural center to be followed in later

phases by additional hotels, private residences and a recreational marina.

The overall development cost is estimated at $450-500 million.



    SPDG CEO Jesse James and Faumuina Liuga Tiatia, Minister of Natural

Resources and Environment, recently signed the land lease agreement in

Apia, Samoa. The size of the acreage and duration of the lease is

unprecedented in Samoa.



    "These transactions successfully demonstrate our company's ability to

be a leading player in an area destined to emerge as one of the South

Pacific's most sought-after tourist destinations," said James.



    SPDG is meeting with potential hotel partners, co-developers and

investors interested in having a financial stake in its development

projects.



    "There's been a tremendous amount of interest," said James. "Our

potential partners sense that Samoa's unique cultural appeal and tropical

beauty are about to be discovered by travelers yearning for a destination

that offers the rewards of ecotourism and cultural tourism and the South

Pacific's romantic allure."



    Sasina is located on Savaii's rural north shore and is known for its

adherence to historical Samoan traditions. The village of Sasina has

additional acreage of pristine land set aside for development on which SPDG

has first right of refusal.



    James says SPDG is committed to preserving Savaii's culture, tradition

and environment. "It's what makes Samoa and Savaii special in the first

place, and we want very much to keep it that the way." Resort structures

will be less than four stories tall and setback 500 feet from the

shoreline.



    Leasi Vainuupo Nuusa, High Chief of the village of Sasina, said the

project is a positive development for Sasina that will create job

opportunities, spawn a new lumber industry, and allow farmers to sell

produce to the resort.



    Savaii is one of the South Pacific's most serenely beautiful

destinations. It offers an astonishing range of sights from volcanic

craters, scenic waterfalls and lava tubes to rainforest canopy walks,

blowholes, surfing, snorkeling, and lovely beach settings alongside

traditional Polynesian villages.