EDITORIAL CONTENTS For
EDITORIAL CONTENTS For years, travel agencies have wheeled out itineraries of “farniente” holidays to the Islands of Tahiti almost solely for newlyweds, whose “oohs and ahhs” when pawing over glossy brochures sporting over-water bungalows have been sure-fire weapons in selling the destination in this way. That’s changing. In the past few years, the Ministry of Tourism, and its destination marketing organisation, Tahiti Tourisme, have been hard at work to create a new image – or brand for French Polynesia. A harmonised and concerted plan has been rolling out since 2015, aimed at diversifying the perception of the tourism offering, while better coordinating and adding professionalism to a broad range of local actors. In terms of global positioning, a choice has been made to continue targeting the very high end, while also diversifying in areas such as “homestay”, with an emphasis on outdoor activities. By underlining culture and nature as assets, French Polynesia is putting its best foot forward as a socio-environmentally sustainable destination. Key assets include breath-taking natural beauty, authenticity, patrimony, human Richard Barnes Editor-in-Chief Cleverdis The Islands of Tahiti – a Different Take contacts, culture and outdoor activities. Security, natural riches, diversity of sporting activities and quality of the hospitality offering are all major drawcards. Efforts are being made to attract tourists from new source markets such as Australia and Latin America, not to mention China. Further investment is constantly being sought in the hospitality market, whose limits are currently among the key braking factors to growth. By the same token, more low-season tourism is being encouraged in order to take advantage of the current stock of rooms. This SMARTguide aims to give travel professionals a succinct and synthetic overview of “how to sell” the Islands of Tahiti. It must be noted that Tahiti Tourisme has a number of exceptionally well compiled and presented documents to assist you in more detailed planning, and their personnel are always available to help travel professionals and the public alike in preparing travel to this beautiful and astounding destination. We hope you will find this guide useful, and that it may contribute to facilitating your clients’ decision-making process when it comes to choosing holiday destinations. 5. TRADE TALK The Professionals’ Viewpoint What do some of the world’s top travel professionals think of ongoing tourism initiatives concerning The Islands of Tahiti? 6. INTRODUCTION New Ways of Discovering the Islands of Tahiti Nicole Bouteau French Polynesia’s Minister for Tourism, International Transport, and Institutional Relations 8. STRATEGY 10. ACTIVITIES 10. Mana From Heaven 11. A Cultural Destination 12. Sail Away 13. Dive In! 14. A Culinary Treat 15. French Polynesia Promotes Responsible Tourism 16. DESTINATIONS 16. A Quick Tour of the Isles 18. Society Islands 20. Tuamotu Islands 22. Marquesas Islands 24. The Gambier Archipelago 25. Austral Islands 26. TRANSPORT 26. Air Transport 26. Charter Services 27. Sea Transport 27. Road Transport 28. HOMESTAY Homestay in the Islands of Tahiti 29. ACCOMODATION In the Lap of Luxury 30. CONCLUSION Jean-François Pieri, Managing Director, Cleverdis • Edition, produced by CLEVERDIS, 65 avenue Jules Cantini, Tour Méditerranée, 13006 Marseille, France Tel: + 33 442 77 46 00 - info@cleverdis.com • www.cleverdis.com SARL capitalised at Euros 155,750 - RCS Marseille 413 604 471 - VAT FR 95413604471 President & CEO: Gérard Lefebvre, Managing Director: Jean-François Pieri, Production Manager: Jean-Guy Bienfait, Editor-in-Chief: Richard Barnes, Editorial coordination: Yingying Deng, Editor: Simon King, Marketing Manager: Nathalie Meissner, Art Director: Hélène Beunat. With the participation of: Bettina Badon, Naila Ben Ghorbal, Borhan Moussa, Finn-Georg Sander, Wenchao Wang • Printing: Möller Druck und Verlag GmbH, Ahrensfelde OT Blumberg, Germany • On cover: © Tahiti Tourisme • Registration of Copyright March 2018 Information presented in this publication is purely indicative in order to illustrate subjects contained therein. No guarantee can be given as to the accuracy of data or content at time of printing and thus the latter should not be used to professional or commercial ends. While all efforts have been made as to accuracy and pertinence of content and data contained in this publication, CLEVERDIS may in no case be held responsible for the consequences, whatever their nature may be, that may result from the interpretation of this data or content, or any eventual errors therein. All rights are reserved. Any reproduction of the content of this publication, even partial, by any procedure whatsoever, is strictly prohibited without the prior authorisation of the publisher. Any copy, whether by photography, photography film, magnetic tape, disc or other means constitutes a forgery, liable to punishment under French law under the legislation of 11 th March 1957 covering copyright. All brands cited in this publication are registered trade marks and/or belong to companies which are their respective proprietors. The publishers and editorial staff decline all responsibilty as to opinions formulated in this publication by those interviewed or cited therein. Their opinions are entirely their own, and are included with the understanding that they contain, to our knowledge, no malicious intent. The inclusion of all texts, photographs and other documents supplied by those included in the report imply the acceptance by their authors of their free publication therein. Documents and photgraphs are not returned. It should be understood that this publication contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include assumptions relating to the timing of the record date. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialises or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the expectations outlined in these statements. Cleverdis assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements during the period of publication. Photo Credits and Copyright: All Rights Reserved 4 SMART GUIDE French Polynesia
TRADE TALK The Professionals’ Viewpoint What do some of the world’s top travel professionals think of ongoing tourism initiatives concerning The Islands of Tahiti? Gina Dunnett Director, Product Development & Travel Experience, GoBe.com – Miami, USA Florence Spitzli Product Manager / “Tiare” French Polynesia Certified Agent, Stohl-Air Travel Ltd. – Geneva, Switzerland Jaana Chan Product Director APAC, Hotelplanner.com and Meetings.com – Hong Kong French Polynesia is much more than over-the-water bungalows. We now immerse the traveller into the culture as well as its ocean sanctuary, offering a true appreciation of the differences between the islands. It is on everyone’s bucket list of destinations to visit, but now, it’s becoming the place you wish to return to over and over again. With its focus on sustainable tourism, it’s guaranteed to be loved by our children and their grandchildren and beyond. The local tour operators and their staff are the keys to experiential excursions. They offer truly authentic and rich experiences not found elsewhere. The resident guides and tour staff are genuinely delighted to share French Polynesia with all visitors and welcome them warmly. Specialist tour operators always require specific, detailed information in order to carry out their job properly. For example, in France, the “Tiare” training is a major asset for sales forces, and it would be great if this could also be brought back to Switzerland. Polynesia is a “safe” destination – free of terrorism and natural disasters, and remote – a factor that has always contributed to its myth. It is also a destination that has a large number of assets that should be better known, such as the culture, traditions, fabulous beaches, nature and sports. Ecotourism, UNESCO World Heritage status and new campaigns are all contributing to a growth in tourist numbers. The opening of new air links will engender an augmentation in the offering of hotels and pensions, in particular homestay, in the sense of a greater human/nature relationship, which the destination wishes to develop. The financial convention that has just been signed in Brussels will also assist the destination in its strategy of transmitting its cultural patrimony, while pushing each actor to do their all to preserve the environment. In the past, French Polynesia wasn’t always top of mind for those planning group or incentive travel, due to the remoteness of the location and the perceived premium pricing of its product. This is rapidly changing however, especially due to what we see as being a very proactive effort on the part of the destination’s tourism authorities when it comes to creating a shift in attitudes among the travelling public. More and more excellent reasons are emerging for incentive groups to travel to this absolutely amazing, breath-taking place, and what’s exceptional is the fact that sustainability is more than ever at the heart of the concerns of all the travel and tourism stakeholders of the Islands of Tahiti. Hats are off to Tahiti Tourisme and the Ministry for their great work – and in helping us with ours! SMART GUIDE French Polynesia 5
