Aranui III, a mixed passenger and cargo vessel, has recently revealed its strategic plan to reach out to the fishing market as a new way of elevating the brand, becoming a reference to travelers exploring the world to fish, and increasing the visibility of the destination and more specifically of the Marquesas.

As part of its new plan, Aranui introduces three different fishing packages available to guests, which combine the fun and excitement of fishing in some undiscovered waters with the discovery of Marquesas’ the cultural heritage.

For more information on  the Aranui III, please click here.

Hank Kallio recently joined Hilton French Polynesia as the Director of Sales & Marketing North America.

He brings a wealth of experience in sales, marketing, and communications gained in airline and tour operating businesses.

His last position was president for Kallio Enterprises, providing strategic marketing, sales and services to various tourism outlets.

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa announces the appointment of Mrs. Jeanne Kallycharun Smietanski as the new Spa Manager.

Throughout her career, Jeanne has acquired rich experience in the field of Wellness and Spa with a key focus on massages, “Somatorelaxology” and “Somatoxinesy.”

Jeanne comes to the Hilton Moorea Resort & Spa from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia where she opened the new “Clarins” Spa at the Waldorf Astoria Palace.

GUILLAUME EPINETTE NAMED GENERAL MANAGER OF THE INTERCONTINENTAL BORA BORA RESORT AND THALASSO SPA

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa appoints Guillaume Epinette as General Manager. Epinette comes to the property from the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa where he was previously Executive Assistant Manager.

In his new role, Guillaume Epinette will oversee the daily operations of the resort. With an extensive hospitality and culinary background, Epinette has trained in some of the world’s most elite hotels, including the Hôtel De Crillon in Paris.

“I am incredibly excited to begin my new post at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. I have been a proud member of the InterContinental team for nearly 10 years and look forward to beginning a new chapter at another amazing InterContinental property,” comments Epinette.

A native of France, Epinette holds a degree from the College Jacques Coeur Bourges as well as a Master’s Degree from the University Robert Schuman Strasbourg.

Epinette takes over the reins from Silvio Bion, a cherished and celebrated veteran of the InterContinental brand. Bion’s 20 year tenure with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts includes the massively successful opening of the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa as well as previous management positions at the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort and the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa.

Bion will soon begin a new position at a hotel project currently under construction on the island of Tetiaroa.

FAMILY DISCOVERY PROGRAM AT INTERCONTINENTAL BORA BORA RESORT AND THALASSO SPA

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa caters to families by introducing family programs and extensive services. From a villa “motu” with kitchenette, special housekeeping service, special kids menu, baby-sitting service and family programs, the resort had many offerings planned to complement relaxing moments and make family trips memorable.

INTERCONTINENTAL MOOREA RESORT & SPA UNDER RENOVATIONS

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa will start its renovation plan as of as of November 21st 2009. The renovations include the construction of a magnificent new pool and upgrading of all the bungalows.

The new infinity pool is being constructed at the top of the main beach and will be 3 875 Square feet with a swim up bar. An outdoor terrace will be created where the existing pool is now located.

This area will be landscaped and part of it will be used as an outdoor extension of the Fare Hana restaurant. The“Fare Hana” will thus be closed through the end of June 2010. The Fare Nui will remain open for guests during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A smaller infinity pool of 807 Square feet is being constructed above this pool and will cascade into it. The pool is expected to be complete by the end of June 2010.

To better accommodate guests, transfers to the motu, 10 minutes from the hotel, will be offered free of charge until the end of March 2010. This will enable guests to find a great beach with crystal blue waters as well as a peaceful shaded area of relaxation further away.

The extension of all bungalows’ terraces is also part of the renovation plan. The first ten overwater bungalows are currently being renovated in August 2009 and will be completed at the end of October 2009. The remaining overwater bungalows within two different timeframes, a part will be renovated as of November 20th to February and the and the second part from February to May.

The Beach bungalows will be renovated in groupings of 10 to 12 units starting 20th November 2009 and completed in May 2010. The 14 Garden bungalows will start in January 2010 and finish in April 2010. The terrace will be extended with the addition of a plunge pool.

In addition, we are delighted to announce that InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa has joined the Green Globe program and has now become a Silver Green Globe Benchmarked accommodation.

For more information on the InterContinental Resorts French Polynesia, please click here.

The entire team at Le Matai Polynesia– Bora Bora is extremely proud to announce the successful achievement of the SILVER GREEN GLOBE Certification!

This certification puts the hotel in the leading worldwide group of sustainable tourism operators, certified to the internationally recognized Green Globe Company Standard.

The Hotel General Manager, Ms. Catherine Savatier has initiated the certification process with a first achievement last April by obtaining the BRONZE level.

She has pursued the next steps to SILVER level and the implementation of best practices to improve the compliance with this benchmarking and certification program. Many criteria are considered for the certification such as the level of water and energy consumption, environment preservation, staff commitment, communication inside the hotel and with third parties, participation in the cultural and local community life.

The 30-bungalow Le Maitai Dream Fakarava, which Hotel Management & Services (HMS) had run since the hotel's 2002 opening, was sold and renamed the White Sand Beach Resort Fakarava.

A new three-person management team now owns, manages and markets the hotel through offices in Frankfurt, Germany, Cleveland, Ohio, and Huntington Beach, Calif., according to a statement from the new owning company, Fakarava Dream.

The new management team includes Rudolf Jäger, president and CEO, Jean-Marc Petin, senior vice president and general manager, and Chrystel Mosnier, director of finance and administration. Chrystel was previously resident manager under HMS, the Tahiti-based management company.

For more information on the property, please click here

Pacific Beachcomber, owner of Paul Gauguin Cruises since August, announced the completion of the company’s post-acquisition management transition.

Effective immediately, the company said Richard Bailey will serve as chairman, president and CEO of Paul Gauguin Cruises, replacing acting President and CEO David Giersdorf.

“We are ready as the new owners of Paul Gauguin Cruises to assume our full role in managing the company from this point forward,” said Bailey, who also serves as managing director of Pacific Beachcomber.

“It was terrific of David to agree to continue in his role for several weeks following the acquisition of Paul Gauguin Cruises by Pacific Beachcomber. He has been invaluable in both the ownership and operational transition.”

Paul Gauguin Cruises was acquired in August 2009 by Pacific Beachcomber, which owns the four InterContinental Resorts in French Polynesia: Intercontinental Tahiti Resort, Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, and Intercontinental Moorea Resort and Spa. The company also owns and manages the Maitai Hotel on Bora Bora and is developing a luxury eco-resort called “The Brando" on the late actor’s private island.

Visit Paul Gauguin Cruises here

SOFITEL BORA BORA MARARA BEACH & PRIVATE ISLAND PREMIERES A NEW RESORT EXPERIENCE

Sofitel Bora Bora Marara and Sofitel Bora Bora Motu are merged into one resort renamed Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach & Private Island, effective as of September 2009.

Located on a stretch of stunning white-sand beach, along one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach & Private Island elegantly combines rustic and contemporary styles.

On the edge of the most beautiful lagoon in the world, the beach side of the resort elegantly harmonizes local wood with contemporary style, offering an intimate and colorful atmosphere. Just two minutes away by private shuttle, the private island side of the resort invites you into the heart of a wild and preserved nature.

SOFITEL FRENCH POLYNESIA WELCOMES NEW SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Sofitel French Polynesia has appointed Adrien Shulz as its sales representative for the European travel agencies market and Raphael Bernard as its sales representative for the US travel agencies market. Adrien is based in Paris and Raphael is based in Los Angeles.

Both of them worked previously in French Polynesia, Raphael Bernard previously worked at the Intercontinental Bora Bora and Moorea and Adrien at Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach & Private Island. Both will promote Sofitel properties in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora to the travel agencies and to all partners in their respective markets.

The rest of the sales team at Sofitel French Polynesia remains unchanged under the supervision of Stéphane Sonnet - Regional Director of Sales & Marketing who is directly overlooking Tour Operators sales for Europe and Asian markets: Bambi Bryant is responsible for the North American Tour Operators. Lisa Coakley is in charge of Tour Operators for the Pacific and South American markets as well as for Group and wedding sales worldwide.

SOFITEL MOOREA IA ORA BEACH RESORT SELECTED BY SIGNATURE NETWORK FOR 2010

Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort is now part of the ultimate worldwide collection of quality hotels and resorts in key markets covered by the Signature Travel specialists network.

This achievement greatly highlights the success of the hotel’s repositioning on the market since its opening 3 years ago and the new philosophy of Sofitel worldwide...Life is magnifique.

In addition, Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora is most often cited as the number one hotel on the island of Moorea on various websites such as Tripadvisors.com. More than ever, Olivier de Ronseray and his team will have the pleasure of welcoming VIP guests from all over the world.

SOFITEL BORA BORA MARARA BEACH AND PRIVATE ISLAND SELECTED BY CONDE NAST TRAVELER

Sofitel is pleased to share with you its latest awards featured in the annual Condé Nast Traveler 2009 Readers Choice Awards:
- Top Hotels Worldwide - Oceania (19 hotels selected): Sofitel Motu Bora Bora Private Island: number 11, score 85.2 (1 of 1 selection in French Polynesia)
- Top Resorts Worldwide - Australia and Pacific (20 hotels selected): Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort number 14, score 82.6 (7 of 10 selections in French Polynesia )

Visit Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach and Private Island here

Marci Bogusz has joined South Pacific Management Hotels, Resorts & Spa as the Sales Representative for the North American market.

Ms. Bogusz brings over 12 years of experience and knowledge of the destination and has maintained strong relationships with Tahiti travel partners. Originally from the Hawaiian Islands, Ms. Bogusz began her hospitality career at the Westin Century Plaza’s catering office. At Sofitel Los Angeles she worked as an Account Executive to open the first Sofitel in North America and later at Accor Resorts as the Office Manager/Inside Sales.

Her most recent post was for Hotel Bora Bora- Amn Resort as Sales Manager up until the time the hotel closed for renovation. Marci is based in Los Angeles, she can be reached at marci.bogusz@spmhotels.pf

The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is now using the OSEA product line exclusively in its treatments.

OSEA is the industry innovator in high-tech, natural derived, marine-based skin care.

The entire product line is natural derived, using only the highest quality seaweed from the pristine waters of Patagonia and Iceland, and the purest organic essential oils. All products are biodegradable and 100% cruelty free.

Additionally, new offerings at the Spa now include Shiatsu, Balinese, Thai and Cranio Sacral Massage, in addition to yoga and Watsu.

BRENDAN VACATIONS INTRODUCES NEW PRESIDENT

Gary Murphy left his post as president of Brendan Vacations on Oct. 15, 2009 to join his father, Jimmy Murphy, at AMAWaterways.

Richard Launder, president of TravCorp USA, said the company has appointed Don Cooper to succeed Gary Murphy as the new president of Brendan, effective Oct. 19.

"Brendan Vacations has been a part of the TravCorp portfolio of brands for the past three years and throughout that time Gary has made a tremendous contribution to the success of not only Brendan but also to the sister brands within the group," said Launder.

"He has been a great team player and we are sorry to see him go. As a colleague and friend, we all wish Gary the best as he makes this career change."

Cooper, who left his post as managing director of TravCorp's Australian specialist FIT operator New Horizons Holidays, brings over 25 years of travel industry experience to his new role.

One of Cooper’s first initiatives will be to lead the company through the implementation of a new, user-friendly technology using iTropics and iNavigate for escorted and independent vacations.

ISLANDS ESCAPES BY GOWAY VOTED BEST TOUR OPERATOR IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

We are pleased to announce that Islands Escapes by Goway was voted “Best Tour Operator – South Pacific” by readers of Recommend Magazine, the 40-year old publication distributed monthly to over 50,000 Travel Agents.

The award is a testament to the dedicated team at Goway, and reinforces its strength in the US Market. It follows its recognition for Globetrotting Magazine in the 2009 Magellan Marketing Awards from Travel Weekly (USA).

TAHITI LEGENDS INTRODUCES NEW SALES TEAM

Tahiti Legends introduces its new sales team with Jessica Smith as Business Development Manager for the West Coast and Stan Enden as East Coast sales representative. Jessica Smith began her career with Tahiti Legends in 2002.

She left to pursue her interest to become a citizen of the world. From leading tours down the Nile, conducting three-month African safaris, to private jet experiences, Jessica has traveled to 49 countries and possesses a wealth of travel knowledge.

She rejoins Tahiti Legends and brings that passion to selling Tahiti & the South Pacific. Jessica in her new role as Business Development Manager will be responsible for strengthening Tahiti Legends’ travel agent relationships on the West Coast.

Jessica Smith email: JessicaS@TahitiLegends.com

Industry veteran Stan Enden joins Tahiti Legends as East Coast sales representative. Stan brings more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, most recently having served as District Sales Manager for Happy Vacations.

Stan has an extensive knowledge of the South Pacific destinations and over the years has developed long-standing relationships with travel agent partners. Stan is a member of the Long Island Travel Agents Association, Travel Agents of Suffolk County, Travel Agents of Nassau County, Travel Agents of Brooklyn and Staten Island, Rochester Travel Professionals.

Stan Enden email: StanE@TahitiLegends.com