Tahiti heads north to greet Canadian agents

Tahiti Tourisme North America said ‘Maeva!’ to Toronto-area agents last night, inviting them to meet with a group of travel partners specializing in the South Pacific destination.

The board brought their annual meet-and-greet to downtown Toronto, highlighting new developments and products in Tahiti while reminding agents how to best sell the destination, as well as showcasing some of the region’s top travel suppliers including Goway, Boomerang, Air Tahiti Nui, Gogo Vacations, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Hotel Kia Ora, Hilton French Polynesian, Maitai, Sofitel, South Pacific Management, St. Regis and Aranui.

Kristin Carlson, Tahiti Tourisme’s director of marketing, told PAX that 2014 saw a 17 per cent increase in the number of arrivals to the destination from North America – approximately 75,000, of which 4,000 hailed from Canada. While many of those Canadian travellers are coming from the west, Carlson said that Eastern Canadian markets such as Toronto and Montreal are also important for Tahiti.

“We see a lot of Canadians from the west, but Toronto and Montreal are strong too,” she said. “Montreal shares the French language with Tahiti, but we also target the discerning explorers, people who have the mindset to go somewhere like Tahiti, and many of them live in cosmopolitan areas like southern Ontario.”

Carlson also dispelled some of the misconceptions and challenges agents may face when selling Tahiti, namely distance and cost.

“There’s the perceived distance versus the realistic distance - we’re only eight hours from Los Angeles," she said. “From the east, we know you still have to get to LA but it’s not the complete other side of the world. Sometimes it can be a cost situation, but you can find packages to Bora Bora that are less expensive than Maui.”

She added that while some travellers may treat Tahiti as a “once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list destination,” the country’s 118 islands and atolls ensure that travellers can take a different trip every time they return. When not exploring the beaches (which lack the crowds of other sun destinations, Carlson said) and crystal-clear waters, Carlson said that travellers can take in the lush, green offerings of the Tahitian interior while enjoying the warmth and spirit of the local residents, who are eager to share their culture and way of living with guests.

“There’s lots to see and do; it’s mainly about the water but we have the interior and incredible culture, archaeological sites and generous people,” she told PAX. “Maybe the first time you go there, you’ll sit on the beach or in your over-water bungalow, but next time you can do something else.”

And with a laid-back vibe and lack of all-inclusive options, Carlson said that it ultimately comes down to agents finding the right clients for Tahiti travel.

“If you have someone who wants to go to Times Square for New Year’s Eve or see the shows on the Las Vegas Strip, they’re not going to be happy in Tahiti,” Carlson said. “But once you find the right ones, they’re going to be blown away and all their expectations will be exceeded.”

Agents looking to up their Tahiti game can take part in the Tahiti Tiare Program, where they can become a Certified Tahiti Specialist by learning more about the destination and qualify for one of two annual FAMs (introductory and advanced) and much more. The program is available at www.tahititiareagent.com.

More about Tahiti

- According to Carlson, there are fewer rooms in all of Tahiti than in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

- Tahiti is an LGBT-friendly destination.

- The islands of Tahiti welcome the same number of visitors in one year that Hawaii gets in one week, Carlson said.

- It’s no surprise that Tahiti is a destination wedding hotspot, and while visiting couples can now legally tie the knot in the country, the amount of paperwork involved usually sees couples getting their marriage certificate at home and saving the ceremony – and honeymoon – for the South Pacific.

- Counting Fiji, Mexico and Hawaii as its main tourism competitors, Tahiti boasts an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit while enjoying more sun and less rain than Hawaii, Carlson said.

PHOTO: Kristin Carlson, director of marketing, Tahiti Tourisme; Vladimir Gosaric, International Travel; Tekura Kelley, trade & promotions manager - Tahiti Tiare Program, Tahiti Tourisme; Beli Ou Wen, regional manager - the Americas, Tahiti Tourisme.