Faith Based Travel Samoa

Talofa! Hi, I’m Karleen Rasmussen​​

Wife, mother, and lover of Christ. Welcome to Faith Based Travel – a place where faith and travel intersect, creating meaningful experiences in Samoa.

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My Journey to Samoa

Originally from Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand, my family and I moved to Samoa in 2006. Looking back, I often ask, “How did I ever end up working in tourism?” In New Zealand, my experience was in recruitment and weddings – not travel. But God had a plan, guiding me on an incredible journey of growth, personal development, and ultimately, purpose.

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Faith and Business

When we first arrived in Samoa, I worked as an HR Manager at Digicel Samoa. I loved the role, but my husband and I realized we couldn’t both be managers. Stepping away was challenging, yet God had other plans.

He opened the door for me to start Karleen, Weddings in Samoa, arranging destination weddings for couples with select properties. What an honor to work with both couples and resort owners! Over time, this led to other opportunities, including relief managing resorts.

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During this period, I also became a remote travel broker with NZ Travel Brokers – a role they weren’t even structured to offer at the time. Again, God led the way. And although COVID temporarily paused this work, I now see it as a season that prepared me for the next chapter.

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Salty Lodge: A God-Guided Vision

In mid-2023, my husband and I purchased a small property in Mulifanua, Samoa, previously a lodge but closed for five years. While our connection to my husband’s family was the main reason for buying, the property needed care – much like the way God renews and prepares us for His work.

With faith, prayer, and a lot of hard work, we transformed it into Salty Lodge Samoa. A property committed to values that honor God, providing a boutique, peaceful retreat for travelers seeking a faith-centered experience. 

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Faith-Based Travel

Through Faith Based Travel, I aim to connect Christians and faith-focused travelers with experiences in Samoa that are meaningful, relaxing, and guided by God’s principles.

Whether you are:

• A Christian traveler looking for a peaceful, boutique stay

• A retreat planner or group travel broker seeking a unique property

• Or simply someone wanting help designing a holiday itinerary in Samoa

…I am here to assist. Being based on the island and well-connected in the industry allows me to create customized experiences just for you.

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Integrity, honesty, and strong Christian values guide everything I do.

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I look forward to helping you explore Samoa in a way that uplifts the spirit, glorifies God, and creates unforgettable memories.

Email me info@saltylodgesamoa.com or Facebook page: