As travel agents well know, many people find comfort during the winter season by planning their next big vacation. Destinations that feature sun, breathtaking scenery and a mix of relaxation and activity are particularly tempting for travelers. Tahiti is one location offering such attributes, and according to bookings at Classic Vacations, it is shaping up to be among the most popular vacation destinations in 2006. Classic added Tahiti to its collection in October 2005 after months of research, meetings with suppliers and on-site property evaluations.

The company relied heavily on agent feedback to make sure the new product would meet their customers’ needs. The result? A carefully selected group of 21 properties on eight islands, along with 25 optional destination experiences. Gregg Brockway, president of Classic Vacations, noted an important step the company took prior to offering Tahiti to agents. “Before one vacation was booked, we sent 20 of our travel specialists to Tahiti so they could familiarize themselves with the properties and speak directly with suppliers. As a result of this first-hand experience, these specialists can have a more detailed conversation with the agent, thereby helping the agent create the best vacation experience possible for the client.” Jonna Jackson, Classic’s product director for Tahiti, noted that honeymoon travel represents a substantial amount of current bookings. However, she said the destination also offers a great deal to other types of travelers. Here are four major areas in which Tahiti holds special appeal with visitors:

- Variety of activities – Families and adventure seekers have a wide selection of experiences to help them enjoy their vacation, ranging from swimming with dolphins and feeding rays to mountain biking, horseback riding and 4-wheel drive tours. Tahiti also offers exceptional diving, snorkeling and surfing opportunities.

- Fewer crowds – According to Tahiti Tourisme, Tahiti receives fewer visitors in a year than Hawaii does in 10 days. It’s very easy to enjoy a peaceful, quiet holiday on the islands.

- Ease of transfer – Classic Vacations offers travelers arriving in Tahiti’s Papeete Airport a deluxe lei, private escort to the hotel, bottled water and fresh towels. Inter-island transfers are short flights or catamaran rides, meaning travelers can easily visit several islands in one trip.

 - Unique properties – While hotels and resorts offer a wide variety of amenities, many are small in size and offer overwater bungalows with glass floor panels for viewing the marine life below. Brockway is pleased with Classic Tahiti’s early results and noted that Classic will continue to look at expanding into other new destinations in the near future. “Our goal is to offer service in every worldwide destination that a U.S.-based traveler would wish to visit. It’s an aggressive goal, and one we will pursue very carefully to ensure that each addition to our collection provides the level of service and luxury our agents and customers expect from Classic.”

A brochure featuring Classic Vacations current offerings in Tahiti is currently available for travel agents. To order the brochure, please send an e-mail to brochures@classicvacations.com

ABOUT CLASSIC VACATIONS® Classic Vacations is the premier provider of perfectly tailored vacations for discerning travelers. Classic offers a full line of vacation components – hotels, car rentals, flight options, activities and private transfers – to help travel agents plan customized luxury vacations for their customers visiting Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Europe and Tahiti. For more information, visit www.classicforagents.com or call (800) 221-3949.