Throughout all 118 islands located in the South Pacific, The Islands of Tahiti offer a rich cultural history that embraces diversity and inclusivity for all visitors seeking an unforgettable travel experience. LGBTQI+ tourism is crucial to ensure people are able to experience safe and friendly destinations that celebrate love and equality. The Islands of Tahiti’s commitment to providing a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors is evident through its progressive local laws and social acceptance of the people.
LGBT couple in Tahiti © Overpeek StudioLGBT couple in Tahiti © Overpeek Studio|
LGBTQI+
in The Islands of TahitiA welcoming destination for LGBTQI+ travelers
Our promotional video
The Treasured Test
The LGBTQI+ community is highly sensitive to shallow attempts at ‘rainbow washing’, so the campaign had to come from a place of genuine welcome, understanding and authenticity. In response to this imperative, Tahiti Tourisme, in collaboration with agency Circul8, conceptualized ‘The Treasured Test’—an invitation extended to LGBTQI+ travelers to gauge the warmth of welcome in The Islands of Tahiti, assessing if they felt truly ‘treasured.’
Central to the concept was the involvement of authentic LGBTQI+ individuals, rather than actors. An open call was made to the LGBTQI+ community to select a diverse ensemble to experience The Islands of Tahiti firsthand and share their unfiltered impressions.
The selected group comprised a cross-section of LGBTQI+ identities, including US lesbian couple Jen and Jess, French gay couple Seb and Diego, and two Japanese friends Yuma and Mizuki, both transgender men.
The film crew followed the group for ten days as they experienced all the highlights a vacation in The Islands of Tahiti can offer. From learning traditional dance in Tahiti to snorkeling the lagoon of Bora Bora they were free to travel and interact with locals, without having to worry about hiding any part of their identity.
Following their journey, the group shared their impressions through candid interviews, unanimously expressing heartfelt gratitude for the warmth and acceptance extended by the locals. They emphasized feeling completely at ease, liberated from the need to mask any aspect of their identity. The resounding consensus affirmed that The Islands of Tahiti indeed offer a sanctuary where everyone is unequivocally ‘treasured’.
Tahiti Tourisme also won the PATA Gold Awards 2024 for this campaign, in the “Marketing Campaign – National Tourism Organisation Pacific” category.
Sébastien & Diego
Sébastien and Diego have been a couple for 15 years and live together in Paris. They like to travel to quiet places in the middle of nature where they can discover the local culture. They wanted to visit The Islands of Tahiti to see if it was the tropical paradise they had imagined. They were also intrigued by the idea of mahu and rae rae in Tahitian culture. It was a life-changing vacation experience.
Yuma & Mizuki
Yuma and Mizuki are friends from Tokyo, Japan. Both trans men, they enjoy traveling to LGBTQI+ destinations and wanted to experience the culture and open-mindedness of Tahitians. Like many trans people, they thought about how the locals might react to them and didn’t feel comfortable swimming in a swimsuit. Upon arrival, they were delighted to be welcomed everywhere and spent hours snorkeling and canoeing without worrying about how others would look at them.
Jess & Jen
Jess and Jen are a married couple from Syracuse, New York, USA. They are both tattoo artists and together own a tattoo shop. They enjoy vacations where they can both relax and have adventures. They were eager to discover the LGBTQI+ culture of The Islands of Tahiti. Jen got a traditional tattoo of a manta ray she saw, a memory that will stay with her forever.
Marriage Equality
LGBT couple in Bora Bora © Helene HavardLGBT couple in Bora Bora © Helene Havard|
Legal Protections
Marriage Equality was first legalized and practiced in 2013, when the first gay marriage took place on the island of Moorea on July 8th, marriage equality was a significant milestone as The Islands of Tahiti were one of the first destinations in the South Pacific region to legalize marriage equality. The bill helped further cultivate the values of inclusion and extended them with a positive and accepting attitude towards the LGBTQI+ community. LGBTQI+ couples in The Islands of Tahiti enjoy the same legal rights and protections as any other couple, including access to benefits, nondiscrimination protections, and legal adoption of children.
Gender diversity
The Islands of Tahiti have a long-standing tradition of embracing diversity, particularly in regard to the third gender people known as “māhū“, this term refers to individuals who embody both male and female qualities, blurring the lines between traditional gender roles. Another expression of gender identity within the culture is “raerae” which is someone assigned male at birth who is a woman, more closely aligned with transgender women in Western cultures. The presence of “raerae” and “māhū” people in Polynesian society highlights the importance of acceptance and understanding in the region’s cultural fabric.
The presence of "rae rae" and "mahu" people in Polynesian society highlights the importance of acceptance and understanding in the region's cultural fabric.The presence of "rae rae" and "mahu" people in Polynesian society highlights the importance of acceptance and understanding in the region's cultural fabric.
A commitment to equality and inclusion
Since the legalization of marriage equality over 10 years ago, the destination has taken significant steps towards the inclusion and recognition of LGBTQI+ rights.
In 2023, the first forum on gender equality, rights and protection for LGBTQI+ people was held. The same year, the LGBTQI+ flag was raised at the Presidency of the Government of French Polynesia and a representive from the LGBTQI+ community was also appointed to the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council (CESEC) – a local institution that fulfills an advisory role to public, executive or legislative authorities.
In 2023, the first forum on gender equality, rights and protection for LGBTQIA+ people was heldIn 2023, the first forum on gender equality, rights and protection for LGBTQIA+ people was held
Finally, every year since 2023, the “Cousins Cousines” association organizes the Tahiti Pride Week: a week to celebrate LGBTQI+ pride and provide a platform for dialogue and education on issues of inclusivity for this community.
All these actions underline The Islands of Tahiti‘s commitment to fighting discrimination against this community and building a more inclusive and respectful society, whatever one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Every year since 2023, the "Cousins Cousines" association organizes the Tahiti Pride Week © Philippe COLLIGNONEvery year since 2023, the "Cousins Cousines" association organizes the Tahiti Pride Week © Philippe COLLIGNON|
Tahiti Tourisme member of the IGLTA
Tahiti Tourisme is a member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA). Founded in 1983, the IGLTA is the world’s leading network of LGBTQ+-friendly tourism organizations. The organization provides free travel resources and information, while continually working to promote equality and safety in LGBTQ+ tourism worldwide. IGLTA members include LGBTQ+ accommodation, transport, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and media from over 80 countries.
