Samoa Wins Best Host Country Award at Miss Global 2026

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA — 9 October 2026 — Samoa has won international recognition for its renowned hospitality that won the Best Host Country Award at the Miss Global International pageant in Bangkok, Thailand.

Faalagilagi Farini, Miss Global Samoa 2026, accepted the award on behalf of the country, following reigning Miss Global Nguyen Dinh Nhu Van’s tour of 13 destinations during her reign.

The titleholder visited Samoa, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, England, Jamaica, Hong Kong, Macau, Fiji, Australia, Mongolia, New Zealand and the Philippines. Samoa earned the honour in recognition of the warmth, generosity and cultural hospitality she experienced during her visit.

Vodafone Samoa and Manaia Events jointly organised her tour, providing opportunities for her to experience Samoan traditions, engage with communities and discover the country’s distinctive culture.

Vodafones CEO, Toleafoa Rana Bose said the award reflected Samoa’s tradition of welcoming visitors as family.

“Samoan hospitality is something that comes from the heart. We don’t simply welcome our guests into Samoa; we welcome them into our families, our communities and our culture,” he said, describing the achievement as an incredible honour for the nation.

Leiataualesa Taiʻi Jerry Brunt, National Director of Miss Global Samoa 2026, said the recognition belonged to the Samoan people, families, communities and everyone who helped make the titleholder’s visit memorable.

The award highlights Samoa’s growing international profile through pageantry, tourism and cultural exchange. It also celebrates fa’a-Samoa, the Samoan way of life, which places respect, generosity, family and welcoming visitors at the heart of its cultural identity.

Samoa’s achievement reinforces the value of sharing its traditions with the world and demonstrates how its people’s hospitality can leave a lasting impression on international visitors.