Tahiti Tourisme's Kristin Carlson | Reopening Q&A

Leisure travel is back and travelers have more international airline routes available. Non-stop flight options from the United States to hard-to-reach destinations in Europe and Asia are highlighted. While Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand are popular South Pacific destinations, French Polynesia's islands like Bora Bora and Tahiti offer a legendary experience that is more challenging to reach. Delta Air Lines now offers non-stop flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete, Tahiti (PPT) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, which may be operated by Air France.

Ready to know more about the top luxury accommodations for a five-star getaway in Bora Bora, French Polynesia? The island is renowned for its endless crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, lagoon, and picturesque views. The luxury accommodations include the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, and Conrad Bora Bora Nui. These resorts offer a range of amenities such as private plunge pools, fitness centers, tennis courts, water sports, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, spa treatments, private dining, and they also provide beautiful views of the island's natural beauty and marine life.

Venture Tahiti has been quoted in a recent Forbes Magazine article by Senior Contributor, Christopher Elliot. We have included an excerpt inside. "This Is How To Stay Safe When You Travel After The Pandemic"‍ - "A lot of people who want to stay safe while traveling during the coronavirus pandemic use other criteria to choose their destination — exciting, fun, or cheap. Mostly, cheap. That's a mistake, says Keith Smith, managing director of Venture Tahiti." A great way for travelers to stay safe as they begin traveling again is to be thoughtful and selective about their early destination choices," he told me. "I recommend traveling to destinations that have purpose-built health and safety protocols designed specifically for the resumption of incoming tourism." These protocols consider vaccinated or immune travelers and travelers complying with disciplined testing and entry requirements. If your intended destination has them, you can feel safer. Smith says places like Tahiti have been at the forefront of these purpose-built health and safety protocols, which allows visitors to not just feel safer, but to be safer."

Business Traveller's Cellars in the Sky Awards 2022, which was sponsored by Whispering Angel, recognizes the best wines served by airlines on their flights. Singapore Airlines was the biggest winner, taking five gold medals, while Qantas, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Oman Air, Air Tahiti Nui, and Oneworld also received awards. The competition, which is in its 37th year, saw 22 airlines entering their best wines for consideration by a panel of expert judges, who selected the winners after a normal judging process following two years of disruptions due to travel restrictions.

Sarah Marshall describes the Farerei Haga Rangiroa festival, which celebrates the culture and traditions of French Polynesia. The festival features evening dance shows, coconut-shelling, va’a racing, and stone-lifting competitions. Her article also provides an overview of French Polynesia, highlighting its remote location, the beauty of its islands and atolls, and its association with exotic travel destinations. Marshall shares their experience of visiting Rangiroa and exploring the Blue Lagoon with their boat captain, Ismael Tixier, who showed them how to weave a plate from palm leaves and served them a lunch of mahi-mahi fish and coconut bread.

Windstar Cruises has launched SpaceX's Starlink internet service on its Star Pride vessel during a Caribbean voyage, with plans to introduce it to other ships in its fleet. Windstar aims to add Starlink to most of its fleet worldwide by mid-2023, starting with Star Legend this spring, followed by Wind Surf, Wind Star, and Star Breeze. Wind Spirit will activate the new technology as soon as it's available in French Polynesia. According to Windstar's technology director, Gregg Wagner, Starlink will offer faster speeds, alleviating the frustration felt at peak use times.

Paul Gauguin Cruises has announced its plans for 2024, which include launching new itineraries and adding new ports in French Polynesia and the South Pacific. The new 14-night Islands of the Marquesas & Tuamotus voyage will feature five calls in the Marquesas, including two new ports. Paul Gauguin will offer seven itineraries on 33 all-inclusive journeys ranging from seven to 14 nights, sailing roundtrip from Papeete, with the exception of one itinerary that sails between Papeete and Lautoka, Fiji.

As international tourist arrivals approach pre-pandemic levels, 2023 is expected to be a major rebound year for the travel industry. New and exciting international airline routes are being launched, and carriers are expanding their route networks, making it a great year for travel. Delta launched a new nonstop service from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti, three times per week in December 2022, making it easier for travelers to visit the South Pacific archipelago.