Sofitel Marara Bora Bora Reopens
The Sofitel Marara Bora Bora reopens soon, with brand new overwater bungalows and a 230-meter infinity pool. With the return of the Marara, Accor now has all three of its Bora Bora properties up and running (Marara, Sofitel Motu, and Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort).

Other News from Accor:
-Accor has transferred operation of its six Tahiti hotels to its Asia Pacific Region. The Sofitel Maeva Beach Tahiti, Sofitel Ia Ora Moorea, Sofitel Marara Bora Bora, Sofitel Motu Bora Bora, Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort, and Novotel Rangiroa Beach Resort will now be managed by Thomas Van Vliet, regional general manager of Accor New Zealand & Pacific, which includes hotels in Fiji and New Caledonia.

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises Rebrands
Travel and hospitality industry giant Carlson Companies recently changed the name of Radisson Seven Seas Cruises to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, bringing the cruise line under its luxury brand and aligning it with Regent Hotels. The name change reflects Regent Seven Seas’ commitment to luxury product and service. Regent’s m/s Paul Gauguin, a 320-passenger luxury cruise ship, sails year-round in Tahiti.

Hotel Bora Bora Unveils New Massage Menu
Hotel Bora Bora recently revealed its new massage menu, a delectable mix of treatments for individuals and couples, incorporating such local products as monoi and tiare. One of the new offerings, the Aman massage, fuses Indonesian and Tahitian techniques for a full-body oil massage. Three therapists are available to treat guests in the massage fare or in the privacy of their own room.

Air Tahiti Announces Summer Flight Schedule
Air Tahiti has announced its summer flight schedule, effective April 1-October 31. Among the additions are:
-New Sunday flights between Maupiti and Bora Bora
-Ten new flights between Papeete, Bora Bora, and the Tuamotu
-Twenty-two additional flights to the Marquesas during July and August
-The opening of a new destination, Rimatara, in the Austral Islands

Hotel Kia Ora Finishes First Stage of Renovation
Hotel Kia Ora has finished renovating the exterior of its overwater bungalows and restaurant. They are now beginning the second phase of renovation, refurbishing the bungalows’ interior.

Te Tiare Beach Names New General Manager
John G. Marshall, a veteran of South Pacific hotel management, has been named general manager of Te Tiare Beach, an Outrigger Resort. Marshall previously served as general manager and director of operations of several resorts, such as Pacific Explorer Hotels in Vanuatu and Tahiti’s Bali Hai Hotels. The Michigan State University Hotel School alumnus speaks three languages: English, French, and Tahitian.

Tahiti Cruises Changes Direction
The 17-cabin yacht Haumana, operated by Tahiti Cruises, is positioning itself in the general leisure cruise market, rather than its former specialty as a fly-fishing cruise. With the intimacy of a small boat, the all-inclusive Haumana cruises the shallow waters of the Tuamotu Atolls. And while fly fishing is no longer the focus, equipment is still included on-board for those anglers who feel lucky.

Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention
TTNA was among the 10,000 delegates and exhibitors from 116 countries that attended the 22nd Annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami Beach, March 13-16. One of the world’s largest gatherings of the cruise industry, the four-day event included numerous panel presentations, seminars, and a tradeshow in which destination tourism offices and suppliers representing ship equipment, ship services, food and beverage, design/refurbishment, and entertainment technology exhibited. Overall, the cruise industry has rebounded from its lows in the earlier part of the decade. CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) announced that 11.2 million people cruised in 2005, up 6.9% over 2004. And they forecast that 2006 will add an addition 500,000 cruisers, for 4.5% growth. The outlook for small ships in particular is robust, which is good news for Tahiti, whose Tahitian Princess (Princess Cruises) and m/s Paul Gauguin (Regent Seven Seas Cruises) are both in the smaller-ship class. At a panel discussion titled “The State of the Industry Beyond the Big Four,” the heads of several small ship companies (including Regent’s President & CEO Mark Conroy) announced that their forward bookings are up by an average of about 25% for 2006 and 2007.

Tahiti Featured in Maison de la France’s Press E-News
Maison de la France’s monthly newsletter, Press E-News, featured Tahiti in the March issue. In a section titled “Spotlight on Tahiti,” the newsletter provided basic info on the islands as well as a selection of travel deals currently available.
www.franceguide.com/newsletter/visualisation.asp?idnl=3268