What could possibly be more rewarding that cruising through the islands of Tahiti on a luxury yacht with a mere fraction of the passengers of a normal cruise ship? How about having your own private deck on a luxury yacht? For those looking for the ultimately exclusive experience, Bora Bora Cruises announces a new on-board service: Vavau – My Bridge Deck.

With six cabins and a large terrace on the aft deck, passengers will enjoy an intimate, private experience unlike anything else in the islands, with personalized service including a chef, butler, masseuse, and housekeeper. Relax in the utmost luxury on your own, or choose to mingle with the other guests on board, perhaps even have a candlelit dinner on the beach with your own skipper, chef, and butler. Whatever your choice, Bora Bora Cruises’ Vavau deck is a supremely unique experience for even the most experienced vacationer. For rates and availability, visit Bora Bora Cruises website:

http://www.boraboracruises.com/anglais/vavau.php.

*Update: Bora Bora Cruises’ Tu & Tia Moana ships will be in dry dock from January 29 through March 4, 2007.

The official opening of the Tahiti Airport Motel is set for August 3, 2006. Located within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bus stop, and even the Tahiti Faa’a International and Domestic airports, these accommodations are perfect for transit passengers with continuing inter-island travel. The motel offers air-conditioned individual, double and triple rooms, as well as suites and accommodations for groups. With its competitive rates and convenient location, the Tahiti Airport Motel provides greater accessibility to and from the various islands of Tahiti. For more information, visit the Tahiti Airport Motel Website: http://www.tahitiairportmotel.com/tam.html.    

The Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa is proud to announce Marc Gouronc as its new general manager. He takes over for Giuseppe Ressa, who during his three-year stint as manager helped the Sheraton Moorea become one of the 10 best Sheraton hotels in the world. Gouronc has been with the Sheraton chain since 2003, initially working as a grand chef.

Sofitel Ia Ora Moorea Reopening

Sofitel Ia Ora Moorea will reopen on November 1st of this year following extensive renovation. Sofitel has released a special reopening offer to vacationers to celebrate the complete reconstruction of 80 beach and garden bungalows, a restaurant by the water and an over water cocktail bar. The only resort on Moorea that offers a view of Tahiti, Sofitel Ia Ora provides a fantastic mix of luxury, class, and romantic appeal.

InterContinental Opens Bora Bora Thalasso Spa

Beginning September 1, 2006, InterContinental will open the South Pacific’s first Thalasso Deep Ocean Spa, “the first Thalasso spa in the world,” according to InterContinental, “to utilize the benefits of deep-sea water and minerals extracted from the Pacific Ocean at a depth of more than 3,000 feet.” The 13,200 square-foot spa complex houses 14 treatment facilities, for hydrotherapy, beauty treatments, and gentle energy therapy. Among the signature treatments are “Algospa” weightless Marine Therapy, Bora Bora Deep Blue Massage, and Traditional massage with monoi, the beauty secret of Tahitian women for centuries. In addition to the innovative spa, the Resort features other unique amenities such as a revolutionary eco-friendly air conditioning system that deploys the deepest ocean pipe in the world (7,874 ft) and Tahiti’s only over water wedding chapel (also to open in September 2006).

Te Tiare Beach Resort Completes Bungalow Improvements

Huahine’s Te Tiare Beach Outrigger resort recently completed a soft refurbishment on all its 41 over water, beachside, and garden bungalows. The bungalows now include new bedspreads, draperies, and island décor coverings for lounges and chairs, giving the resort a fresh, yet authentic, look.

From the land that introduced tattoos to western civilization, Pearl Resorts & Spa plans to offer an experience that will stick with you for along time! At Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa, guests will have the opportunity to receive a traditional tattoo by native Polynesian tattoo artist, Herenui “Here” Teriitehau. Using hygienic, state-of-the-art equipment and authentic Polynesian black ink, Here designs tattoos according to client preference. Guests may reserve time at Here’s poolside booth, open every day except Sunday from 9am to 1pm. Most tattoos require a minimum of one hour for tattoo application and are applied either in the spa or in the privacy of the guest’s room.

For more information - http://www.pearlresorts.com/moorea/tatoo.asp.  

G.I.E Plongee Tahiti has released the new 43-page, super-glossy, full-color Tahiti Diving Guide which gives essential diving information for 11 different Tahitian islands. Not only does the guide provide maps and diving conditions, as well as what each dive has to offer, it also provides contact information for the various dive companies on each island. It even charts 23 different dive centers, comparing what each center offers in terms of types of dives and options while diving. G.I.E. Plongee’s guide gives you all the information you’ll need to set up the perfect dive vacation.

These diving guides are available for limited distribution. For a free copy, contact Tahiti Tourisme North America at feedback@tahiti-tourisme.com.

To all our North American Tour Operators: if you haven't yet registered your staff for this year's SPF40 Event, now is the time! SPF40 is a 2-day intensive training event that will bring together 40 South Pacific Supplier Partners to train your staff on their individual products and will also allow individual one-on-one product appointments for your key product personnel.

SPF40 is the culmination of efforts by the South Pacific tourist offices of the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papau New Guinea, Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, and Vanuatu.

The event is to be held September 21-23, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, California.

For additional information please visit the SPF40 website http://spf40.com/ or to register, go to http://mybookingmanager.com/projects/p21/wholesalerReq.cfm.