Tahiti's new Government to continue Cruise sghip support

[JMARINER]

Interesting, as it relates to Paul Gauguin

 

 

Tahitipresse reports that French Polynesia's president, Oscar Temaru, described Tahiti's current tourist situation as "catastrophic." On Wednesday, Temaru was elected Tahiti's president for the fourth time since 2004. He is expected to announce who his tourism minister will be on Saturday.

 

 

“There are days when hotels on Moorea and Bora Bora have occupancy rates of less than 20 percent," said Temaru.

All of French Polynesia's 24 major international hotels reported declines in occupancy with a combined average of only 36.11 percent for the month of January. The total number of tourist arrivals in 2008 was down 10 percent compared to 2007.

 

 

The low hotel occupancy rates raise the question of whether to reduce the number of hours employees work, lay off employees or close the hotels, Temaru said during his speech. He has offered a list of proposals he said his new government would implement. They included "an irreproachable marketing plan" for Air Tahiti Nui, allowing overseas investment in a time-sharing program, building a cultural center and a convention hall and making English more widely spoken.

 

 

"The French Polynesia destination will be developed with promotions of hotel products and packages in order to fight against the devastating effects of eight very low season months," said Temaru.

The promotional efforts will also include golf-related tourism, small hotels and family pensions.

 

Temaru noted that cruise ships based in Tahiti are operating at low passenger levels, as are Air Tahiti Nui flights that connect the destination with the outside world. All tourist industry service providers—taxis, tour buses and other activities—are losing business.

According to Temaru, the government's large financial support of Air Tahiti Nui, will be conditioned by the implementation of an irreproachable marketing plan and the application of a rigorous wage and employment policy. The government has a nearly 74 percent capital investment in the airline.

 

 

 

Tahiti's new government will continue to support the cruise ship industry, with particular attention paid to the quality of the welcome and the financial benefits at the local level, including the traditional artisan sector, tourism transport and supplying the ships with local products.

Temaru outlined several additional solutions for turning around Tahiti's struggling tourism industry, including developing the atoll of Tupai 12 miles north of Bora Bora as a tourist destination; conducting studies for converting the airports at Bora Bora and at Hao in the Marquesas Islands into international airports; encouraging eco-tourism, new hiking trails and cable-car projects; and generalizing the use of the English language.

[vaitape]

This is about the 9th government for French Polynesia in 4 years......there's a revolving door for the 3 men that alternatively occupy the Presidential Palace (Mansion, whatever).

 

Good to know the government supports cruise ships. Why is the Star Flyer leaving in 2010? Why don't they lower the airfares for the airline they 3/4 own to get them within the realm of reason?

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Wow, I wonder if this situation will translate to bargains for 2010.

[vaitape]

Would be nice, wouldn't it Wendy? Will keep my eyes open.....

[Dolebludger]

We can hope! But this board has in the past been full of reports of poor accommodations and service, and astronomical prices at hotels and resorts in FP.

[RachelG]

We can hope! But this board has in the past been full of reports of poor accommodations and service, and astronomical prices at hotels and resorts in FP.

 

You hit the nail on the head. Prices there are out of sight, and service is often poor. Plus it costs an arm and leg to get there if you are paying with money (as opposed to FF miles).

If they would open more seats to FF's, cut their prices by even 1/4, and improve attitude, they would attract more tourists.

[JMARINER]

You hit the nail on the head. Prices there are out of sight, and service is often poor. Plus it costs an arm and leg to get there if you are paying with money (as opposed to FF miles).

If they would open more seats to FF's, cut their prices by even 1/4, and improve attitude, they would attract more tourists.

 

I have not checked the hotel prices lately, but I do watch the exchange rates and the Dollar=XPF was .77 a year ago and now is .95 so that should make Tahiti much more of a bargain.

 

As far a attitude and service, for me, Tahiti is always hit and miss. Generally once out of Papeete service/attitudes are better, but still on "island time."

j

[Island Cruiser]

This is a sad situation for the people of FP and it doesn't bode well for the owners of the PG. I hope there are some deep pockets there. The only way to get more people there is to lower the cost of getting there and vacationing there. That has to be an immensely challenging proposition given the state of the world economy. I'm glad I've been there and done that!

[vaitape]

RachelG, we agree wholeheartedly with you! Even a quarter off would make it more attractive...not sure why the fares to FP are so high now when fuel costs are lower than last summer.

ps/Sorry we will miss meeting you in June, sigh....

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

It's pretty obvious from the article that the FP government has its fingers in everything associated with the tourism business there. Form the sounds of it, they set hotel prices, or at least strongly influence how they are set. Whenever you have government price controls like that you get poor quality and low usage. Governments are slow to react to changing market conditions, and non-business goals (like wage support) often are at odds with running susccessful businesses.

 

If FP were smart, they would realize that only the luxury-type consumers are going to be traveling to FP, and that they should replace many rows of coach seats with business-class seats at good prices. I don't know about you, but at 6'4", coach just ain't going to happen on a long flight :D