Destination Assessment of The Islands of Tahiti

The Destination Assessment was led by Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC Global Assurance Director, with the full support of Tahiti Tourisme. She visited several islands, including Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and Rangiroa, to carry out this mission.

This assessment was carried out in accordance with the GSTC destination criteria, the organization that set the world’s standards for sustainable travel and tourism. These criteria are organized into 4 pillars: destination management, socio-economic sustainability, cultural sustainability and environmental sustainability. The conclusions of this assessment provide a baseline for The Islands of Tahiti to develop as a more sustainable destination.

The first part of the assessment involved gathering and analyzing information on the Polynesian tourism industry and existing management strategies in terms of sustainable tourism and the management of cultural and environmental heritage. This was followed by a ten-day site visit, including interviews with public and private stakeholders in relation to the 4 pillars assessed in the GSTC criteria.

The destination has taken remarkable steps in the tourism industry by adopting a roadmap called “Fāri’ira’a Manihini 2027″ (FM27), which aims to position The Islands of Tahiti as an inclusive and sustainable destination over the next 5 years. The plan aims to regulate the number of tourists in proportion to the local population and to ensure that the population, and all stakeholders, benefit from the social and economic benefits of tourism.

There are, however, a number of challenges to be met, including the management of limited resources and the distribution of tourist flows reaching the various islands by plane or cruise ship.

On the environmental aspect, the report highlights a very high rate of dependence on fossil fuels, underdeveloped public transport, the absence of a waste management plan and a lack of communication to raise awareness among the population and visitors to reduce their water consumption. However, thanks to the climate plan currently being rolled out, the score is now at the average level.

Finally, in terms of cultural sustainability, the report recommends updating databases of all heritage, cultural sites and other cultural assets. This information should then be centralized to ensure its preservation, and made accessible to the public (via a website), in order to educate the population and train tourist guides and service providers on the same basis.

To learn more, consult the complete assessment via the link below :

Destination Assessment