Air Tahiti recently announced that they have ordered up to seven turboprop ATR-600 series aircraft.

The order includes three 50-seat ATR 42-600s and two 70-seat ATR 72-600s, as well as options for a further two ATR 72-600s. According to Laurent Negre, ATR’s sales director for Australia and the South Pacific, "This new order brings the total number of firm aircraft ordered from Air Tahiti to the remarkable milestone of 30 units.”

To view Air Tahiti’s 2009 summer schedule, please click here. Please note that the summer schedule is effective from April 1st, 2009 to October 31st, 2009.

Classic Vacations announced the appointments of Greg Bernd and David Hu as co-presidents of the company, effective immediately.

Greg Bernd has been working with Classic for 25 years and most recently as Vice President of Sales. His new position will have him continue to focus on customer and consortia relationships for the company.

David Hu has been working as CFO and Vice President of business operations since 2006 and will be overseeing all internal operations as part of his new responsibilities.

David and Greg replaced Tim MacDonald, former President of Classic Vacations, who was recently appointed to lead a sister company.

Dream Yacht Charter, which recently took over Archipels Croisieres, will open its own charter base in Raiatea as of June 2009.

The fleet will include seven sailboats, three catamarans and three monohulls.

The new base at Uturoa marina in Raiatea will also provide charters with or without crew for four 41-foot Catana catamarans, two 47-foot Harmony mono-hulls as well as for one 52-foot Harmony monu-hull.

For more information on Dream Yacht Charter, please visit www.dreamyachtcharter.com

Hotel Kia Ora, located on the island of Rangiroa, will postpone its renovation projects to 2010. 

Located between two passes on the northwest coast of Rangiroa, the hotel offers sixty-three bungalows positioned along the coral ring of the atoll and offers stunning views of the crystal blue lagoon.

The renovations will include remodeling the design of the bungalows, improving the technological enhancements and amenities, upgrading all Garden Bungalows into small villas, each of them featuring a private pool and the addition of an overwater presidential suite to the hotel’s bungalow portfolio.

Please note that Hotel Kia Ora and Kia Ora Sauvage will be available for the high season.

For more information on Hotel Kia Ora, Kia Ora Sauvage and special offers, please visit www.hotelkiaora.com

Opened in February 2009, Hotel Tahiti Nui offers 91 guest rooms, ranging from standard rooms to Junior suites and suites. 

All rooms are equipped with the finest and most modern amenities, including International TV channels, in-room internet access, a private balcony, air conditioning and a mini bar, and will showcase a contemporary flair.

Ideal for short stays and business travelers, the resort features a gastronomic restaurant “Le Velvet”, a lounge “Le Chocco Latte”, two conference rooms and a business center.

In addition, the hotel boasts a wonderful open-sky pool, a spa and a fitness center for those seeking relaxation while visiting the island.

The 3-star Hotel Tahiti Nui is located in downtown Papeete, conveniently close the city’s main attractions and shops and only ten minutes away from Faa’a International Airport.

More details coming soon!

In an effort to improve its service and the customer’s experience, Le Méridien Bora Bora, is planning to undergo major renovations for 2009.

These renovations include remodeling premium bungalow terraces for guests to enjoy private dinners, updating the technological amenities of each bungalows with flat screen plasma, Wifi Internet and VOD, upgrading of all beach bungalows into 2-bedroom bungalows, each of them featuring a private pool as well as creating an overwater glazed floor wedding chapel to respond to the wedding market.

The resort will feature one of the largest infinity pools on the island, a bar, a sundeck, a fully equipped fitness center, a whirlpool and a plunge pool along the resort’s private lagoon.

The resort will also extend its commitment to the environment by adding an ecological center, where visitors and locals can learn about the preservation of species and the ecosystem.

Please note that during the renovations, all bungalows will remain operational. Renovations will not cause any disturbances to guests.

For more information on Le Méridien Bora Bora, please visit www.starwoodresorts.com

South Pacific Management, which manages Pearl Resorts and Spa, Taha’a Island Resort and Spa and the Manea Spa, announces the opening of the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti in Papeete, the portfolio’s newest resort property in Tahiti.

Opened on March 1st 2009, the resort offers 114 guest rooms, from superior rooms to multi-bedroom duplex suites and apartments. All rooms feature a wonderful mixture of traditional and authentic Polynesian décor and contemporary amenities.

Currently, 54 out of 109 rooms are ready to welcome guests. 31 additional guest rooms will be completed on March 31st and as of April 8th, all accommodation types will be available.

The resort, expected to be one of the major attractions in Papeete, also boasts three bars, a fitness center, the island’s largest infinity swimming pool facing the lagoon and nearby island of Moorea as well as a wonderful over-water restaurant with terrace.

The Manava Suite Resort Tahiti is located in the island’s northwestern region, in the community of Punaauia, five minutes away from Faa’a International Airport and ten minutes from the city center.

For more information about the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti, please click here.

SPM Gets Green Globe Certification

SPM Hotels, Resorts and Spa is proud to announce that the Green Globe* advisory board has granted first time certification to three of the SPM Resorts, Hotels and Spa properties.

Featuring the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, Le Taha’a island Resort & Spa and the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort & Spa for their impeccable commitment to sustainable practices.

In 2008, three other properties in French Polynesia acquired the Green Globe certification, including the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, the InterContinental Resort Tahiti, and the InterContinental Resort & Spa Moorea.

*The International organization Green Globe is fully committed to the environment and aims at delivering the best travel and tourism benchmarking and certifications on products and services. The Green Globe Benchmarking (Bronze) and Certification (Silver) process also focuses on making operational improvements. In addition, the Green Globe Company provides an environmental management framework for organizations to achieve sustainability, to improve operational efficiency and cut waste to help the environment.

The Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa was recognized for its recycling, energy and water saving practices, as well as for its community commitment to ecological principles. The resort’s sustainable practices include the To’a Nui, which is dedicated to the preservation of coral nurseries and their marine life.

Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa was certified for its water saving and recycling practices, which are rated to be 29% greater than the best practice level. The property is a reference for environmental and economic sustainability. It encourages its guests to visit the coral garden for a lesson on preserving the Polynesian ecosystem and also distributes power cards to save on energy consumption.

Manihi Pearl Beach Resort & Spa was recognized for its conscientious energy consumption and water savings. The property uses biogenic- biodegradable cleaning products to protect the property’s water and lagoon and also favors collecting rain to cut water waste.

For more information on SPM Hotels, Resorts and Spa's properties, please click here

The Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa Welcomes New General Manager

M. Fabrice Pinault will serve as the new General Manager for the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa, effective immediately. M. Pinault brings many years of management performance and an impressive background to the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa.

Prior to his appointment, he served as General Manager at the Relais & Chateaux Heritage Suites Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Over the course of his career, Pinault managed many renowned properties including the casino du Cap Vert in Senegal, Coco Beach Resort in Lomé Togo and served as front desk manager for four years at Ibiza, Spain’s Relais & Chateaux Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena.

His wide management knowledge and expertise makes him the ideal person to manage the daily operations of the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa.

SPM Hotels, Resorts and Spa Welcomes Three Properties to its French Polynesia Portfolio

Louis Wane of Société des Hôtels Tahitiens delegated the management of the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, and the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa to SPM Hotels, Resorts and Spa Management Company.

The three rebranded properties, previously Starwood properties, are now under a Hilton franchise agreement and managed by the leading resort management Company in French Polynesia SPM Hotels, Resorts and Spa, which currently manages ten resorts across three Archipelagoes.

Sophie Bessou, Director of Sales and Marketing for Hilton French Polynesia, will be the primary contact for these three Hilton properties.

For more information on the Hiltons, please contact her at sophie.bessou@hilton.pf or visit www.hilton.com

Tahiti Expeditions is pleased to announce the launch of a collection of active and educational adventures for travelers seeking to experience and learn about the natural and cultural worlds of this tropical island paradise.

Based on Moorea, Tahiti Expeditions provides discerning travelers with high quality activities, tours and expeditions throughout the islands of French Polynesia, with emphasis on Natural History and Cultural Heritage.

Specializing in small-group soft adventure, popular activities include Outrigger Va’a Tours and Guided Ocean Kayaking, as well as a variety of guided walks and land tours.

In addition to regularly scheduled tours, Tahiti Expeditions also coordinates special programs and events that can be customized for VIP travelers, families, and groups. Tahiti Expeditions follows international responsible travel guidelines, and actively works with and supports local NGOs for environmental and cultural conservation.

Tahiti Expeditions is proud to offer full commission to the North American travel industry on all of its activities, tours, and programs.

For more information, please visit www.TahitiExpeditions.com

We are very delighted to announce that the Tiki Village Theatre has performed its 3500th wedding ceremony.

Located on the island of Moorea, the Tiki Village Theatre offers a unique glimpse into the Polynesian culture through exceptional Tahitian party nights, a wonderful Paul Gauguin art gallery, dance performances of 60 dancers, artists, and fire dancers as well as an amazing buffet prepared in a Tahitian earth oven.

In addition to festivities, the village offers Tahitian wedding ceremonies, specially performed on a Marae (temple). After the ceremony, guests can enjoy a canoe ride to the floating fare (hut) accompanied by memorable sounds of Ukulele, where they can spend a special night at no additional fee.

Please join us in congratulating the TIKI Village Theatre for its achievement and ongoing efforts to showcase the uniqueness of the Tahitian culture.

To get more information on Tiki Village Theatre, please click here.