Tahiti Tourisme North America kicks off Canada & U.S. trade events

TORONTO — Tahiti Tourisme North America hosted trade receptions in the U.S. and Canada - for the first time since 2018 - including the kickoff event in Toronto this week.

Travel advisors took part in comprehensive half-day destination training sessions, plus there were networking opportunities too. Participating partners included Air Tahiti, Aranui Cruises, Conrad Bora Bora Nui, French Bee, Paul Gauguin Cruises, The Brando, Far & Away Adventures, Travel Brands and more.

Some 14 suppliers in all were on hand to talk Tahiti, Bora Bora and more. There was also a two-hour long Tahiti presentation by the tourism board.

Stan Enden, BDM, North & Southeast USA for Tahiti Nui Travel, told Travelweek’s Michelle Zimmer that his DMC can take care of just about everything a travel advisor needs for their client’s trip. “We do air, transfers, hotels, even restaurant reservations,” says Enden. “We do hotels, three star and up. We’re based right there and we’re there for travellers 24/7, I think that puts a lot of clients at ease.” Tahiti Nui Travel has been around since 1965, “so we’re not the new kids on the block,” Enden joked. The company’s site is tahitinuitravel.com.

One of the destination’s top luxury properties, The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, is a showstopper, says Director of Luxury Sales, Amanda Esposito. “We recommend saving Bora Bora for last - because nothing will top it,” says Esposito. The resort commands 44 acres and offers 77 overwater villas. There are also 13 land villas, starting at 1,500 square feet. “We have a lot of celebrities, a lot of athletes,” she shares. The property’s F&B offering is second to none, she adds. “We’ve got the best food in Bora Bora.”

Steven Kona Simao, VP Sales, North America for Variety Cruises, offered up a vision of easy onboard elegance for the cruise line’s Tahiti sailings. “No tuxes, no ties,” he said. “It’s a yacht-type ship, with 21 crew.” The staterooms aren’t sprawling, but as

Kona Simao points out, “on our sailings, you’re not in your room a lot, you’re ashore.” The intimate size of the ship means groups are a good fit. “When you do a charter, you can customize everything.” Prices lead in at Cdn$2,500 per person in the off-season.

Goway was at the event too, represented by Rares Dumitru, National Account Manager. “Tahiti is one of our destinations, and Bora Bora. All of French Polynesia,” said Dumitru, adding that Goway offers some 150 destinations worldwide. Goway’s full-service offering for the trade includes an air consolidator department, and a cruise department. He says celebration travel, including anniversaries and the like, are big for Goway’s French Polynesia bookings. “And 95% of what we do is customized,” he adds.

For all the latest product and destination news check out tahititourisme. ca/en-ca/. The site includes information on the different islands, attractions, and accommodations, as well as practical information on travel requirements and customs.

Tahiti Tourisme also offers a number of tools and resources for travel agents, including a dedicated travel agent portal, comprising training modules, sales tools, and marketing materials. Tahiti Tourisme also hosts fam trips and other educational opportunities for travel agents who want to experience Tahiti first-hand.

Martinique cheers new nonstop flights from Toronto with Air Canada

MONTREAL — The Martinique Tourism Authority is cheering the launch of a new direct flight between Toronto and Martinique.

The new Air Canada route offers nonstop service from Toronto to Martinique, and builds on a successful 14year run of nonstop flights from Montreal, says Martinique’s Tourism Commissioner, Bénédicte di Géronimo, who worked hard to secure the lift.

“This connection between The Isle of Flowers and the Canadian economic capital reinforces the presence of Martinique in Canada, which is now our second most important market,” said di Géronimo.

“I salute the commitment of our key partners such as Club Med, MSC Cruises and The Martinique Aimé Césaire Airport Company (SAMAC) and all partners in the tourism industry in both Martinique and Ontario. This is one more opportunity for our Canadian visitors to discover, taste and share the famous ‘joie de vivre’ that inspires us every day,” she added.

Alexandre Lefevre, Air Canada’s VP,

Network Planning – North America and Scheduling, said: “Air Canada is very pleased to be the leading carrier between Canada and the French Caribbean, and we are exceptionally delighted to add new flights from Toronto to Martinique this winter. This new service complements our year-round flights from Montreal.

Martinique is a unique leisure destination renowned for its rich history and culture, outdoor activities and natural beauty. We have optimized connections to and from our Toronto hub to give customers convenient travel options and bring more people to discover Martinique!”

Air Canada’s Toronto-Martinique service is a nonstop, 5-hour flight aboard an A220, with a capacity of 137 seats.

“We are delighted to offer our Canadian visitors the experience of an authentic, beautiful and romantic Martinique. We await them with open arms and thank Air Canada for helping us realize the launch of this vital new route,” said Muriel Wiltord, Director of the Martinique Tourism Authority, Americas.

Princess to sail seven ships in Alaska in 2023

SANTA CLARITA — The countdown is on for the official start of Princess Cruises’ 2023 cruise and cruisetour season in Alaska, which this year kicks off on April 29.

The cruise line has announced that it will be sailing seven ships throughout The Great Land, including its newest ship Discovery Princess along with Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Majestic Princess, Grand Princess, Crown Princess and Sapphire Princess, with 14 cruise itineraries and 25 land-sea vacations.

Guests can enjoy cruises from 7-11 days departing from San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and Anchorage (Whittier), as well as cruisetours that take them 500 miles into the heart of Alaska, where they can then transfer from ship to train to Denali, all in one day.