of Islands of Tahiti 218,000 visitors in 2022. That’s within 8% of his numbers in 2019, a record year.
Even during the pandemic, tourism has been relatively strong, especially from the two main markets, the United States and France, as the islands were only closed twice for two months.
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But the slowdown in that period has forced tourism authorities to keep track of destinations, maintain the beauty and health of the islands, and ensure that tourism revenues reach locals who share their authentic culture in a managed way. I was able to decide how to grow in.
About 280,000 visitors per year is the target by 2027, which is about 1 visitor per inhabitant. Tahiti Tourism OfficeThat goal is included in the destination’s five-year tourism plan, but can be amended later if a low-growth strategy works.
The update was announced at ParauParau Tahiti (PPT 2023), the first face-to-face meeting for Tahiti Tourism since 2019. Papeete, Tahitiwhich ended on 1 February, although some participants continued to visit neighboring islands on familiar trips.
Part of the tourism plan, Mosselin said, is to encourage tourism development on other less-visited islands to reduce pressure on popular destinations such as Moorea and Bora Bora. .
“What we want to avoid is overcrowding on each island, and we don’t want to create a population that refuses tourists,” he said. In fact, the largest resort on the island has only 280 rooms but there are many boutique inns and guesthouses. Cruise ships sail between the islands, but 90% of them carry less than her 600 passengers.
Mosselin says Tahiti’s appeal to American travelers is its authentic culture, soft adventures and socializing. “A lot of people would say it’s like Hawaii 40 years ago. It’s true.”
Edouard Fritch, President of French Polynesia, also attended the meeting and said: While this is a sign of return, it also shows that the destination is fully mobilized to continue the development of the tourism sector. ”
He called 2022 a “great year” thanks to the efforts of his tourism partners, but urged them to help spread stays to accommodations and islands in a vast territory “about half the size of the continental United States.” Together, we must succeed in the essential task of decentralizing the tourist flow,” Fritsch said. This is how we maintain the quality of our stay on the island and the guest experience.This preserves the quality of our offer.This is how we promote an unforgettable sharing and welcoming experience.”
