Independence Day

Industry News

Seminars

Tradeshows

Workshops

Media Exposure

Product Updates

Special Feature

Industry News

Booking Through a Travel Agent
On July 1, 2003, The Wall Street Journal ran an article titled 'Booking Through a Travel Agent', focusing on the newest trend in the Travel Agent Industry: Specialization. The article notes that Travel Agents are becoming specialists, in many different areas, as airlines have continued to cut commissions over the past decade (which now stand at zero percent for most carriers), and Web sites such as Travelocity and Expedia have become an alternative to calling one's agent. In turn, many Travel Agents have repositioned themselves as specialists in areas such as Spas, Guest Houses, Destinations, Cruising, etc...
The article mentions that smaller, local agencies tend to be more helpful then the larger ones; having more knowledge about unusual spots. They mention ICTA and using their on-line search engine to locate one of these agents.
Ultimately, the article notes that the best resource for finding information on travel is the Web.

Does your company have your specials posted on our Web site? 
Check it out (click here): Special Offers

TIA Survey
The latest TIA (Travel Industry Association) survey was recently released, titled the Final War Impact Survey. This was the fourth installment of their War Impact Survey, which was conducted from May 22-28. They found that 80% of Americans intended to take at least one leisure trip this summer, but 38% have not yet begun planning their trips. The largest reason many had not begun planning their vacations was due to indecisiveness of when to travel (almost 70%). About 40% had not yet decided where they would be traveling. 34% of those surveyed who were intending to take a vacation were also unsure of how much they would be able to spend, while only 14% were waiting to see if the travel prices were going to be reduced before making a decision.

Canadian Seminars - June 2-5, 2003

Tahiti Tourisme North America is proud to announce that approximately 360 Travel Agents were in attendance for the Tahiti Seminars in Canada last month. The seminars were located throughout Canada in the following cities: Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Overall, there was very positive feedback from the attending Travel Agents and Partners.

Recently Attended Tradeshows
2003

Scuba Show - Long Beach, CA June 21-22

Bernard Bagliomini, TopDive

Upcoming Tradeshows
2003

Show

Date

Location

Vacation.com

July 10-11

Hollywood, Florida

IT & ME

September 16-18

Chicago, IL

DEMA

October 8-11

Miami, Florida

For more information on Tradeshows, please contact Mari Masuda at: mmasuda@tahiti-tourisme.com

Workshops

As announced in the last issue of our Partner Update, the Summer 2003 issue of Bride's Magazine has a three-page article by Bob Payne. Complete with Travel Tips, a map of the area, restaurant suggestions and information on what the author refers to as Dreamy Dociles, including: the InterContinental Beachcomber Resort Tahiti, the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa and the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort.
Bride's Magazine has a readership of 5,745,022

Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort recently announced that the property will be closed from October 20 through December 20, 2003 for extensive renovations. When the resort reopens, they will have added 8 new overwater suites and 1 day-use bungalow for their guests. They will also be renovating their kitchen. For more information, please contact Pearl Resorts:

Dolphin Quest, located at the InterContinental Beachcomber Resort Moorea, is now offering a new dolphin program designed specifically for groups! "Dolphin Fantastique" accommodates up to 60 guests in a unique dolphin extravaganza full of fun, dancing, learning and excitement. Hosted by Dolphin Quest trainers, this action-packed event features dolphins defying gravity with aerial leaps and defining grace in an underwater ballet. For more information on this and other Dolphin Quest programs, please contact Dolphin Quest:
Phone: 689 55.19.48
email: dqmoorea@dolphinquest.org

Le Meridien Bora Bora recently announced their newly appointed serenity and wellness facility called Le Spa. They have converted one of their Beach Bungalows into a Spa and now offer massage, facial treatments, body wraps, scrubs, aromatic baths, manicures and pedicures on site. The spa will be open Mondays from 2-6 p.m, Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, please contact Le Meridien:
sales@lemeridien-borabora.pf
689 60 51 51

Heiva I Tahiti is scheduled to start in late July this year and run through early August. This 122 year-old festival generally runs from late June, commencing near Autonomy Day, June 29,  through the month of July. 

From July 23 through August 10, Tahitians from all over the territory will come together on the island of Tahiti to join in dance and song, art & craft exhibitions, an agricultural fair, and to compete against one another in sporting events.

From May 15-July 25, a historic and unique exhibit titled Ia Orana Gauguin will take place at the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands in Tahiti to mark commemoration of 100 years since the death of French artist Paul Gauguin. Celebrations were also held in Hiva Oa in the Marquesas where the painter died on May 08, 1903. The first two Gauguin oil paintings to arrive were “l’Arearea (joyfulness)” and “Autoportrait a l’ami Daniel (Self-portrait of Daniel)”. In addition, the exhibit will display the famous ceramic sculpture “Oviri”, as well as “Le masque de sauvage” from the Paris Orsay Museum and about twenty drawings on loan from the Paris, Africa and Oceania Museum as well as some paintings from private collections.

June Web Stats

Successful Hits: 3,200,197
Total Impressions: 990,648
User Sessions: 105,023
Unique Users: 42,942
Average Session Length: 8:40

Partners - Please click on the following link for the latest 
edition of our Tiare News, May / June 2003:

Tiare News May / June 2003
(pdf download)

 As a reminder, you also have access to previous issues of our Tiare News and Partner Updates which are available in Adobe Acrobat PDF downloads in the Partner section of our site: