The Islands of Tahiti Paves the Way With Its Sustainability Pathway

A long-standing member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Tahiti Tourisme recently took part in the 2025 summit where the destination’s sustainability work was showcased by new CEO of Tahiti Tourisme, Vaihere Lissant. This marked the first international trip for Vaihere, signifying the importance placed on sustainable tourism by Tahiti Tourisme and the broader local tourism industry.

During the summit, the destination was spotlighted through the reveal of the “Travel Redefined: Tourism for People and Planet campaign”, a powerful global initiative in partnership with Content With Purpose, showcasing destinations where tourism is inclusive and sustainable for the benefit of the local population, honouring cultures and protecting environment.

The GSTC annual summit was also a great opportunity to showcase The Islands of Tahiti’s cruise strategy, which was cited as another global example of how to successfully manage tourism and sustainability. Working with smaller and homeport cruise lines such as Windstar Cruises on ocean conservation, Paul Gauguin (Ponant) to deliver medical and healthcare assistance to the region’s most isolated areas, and with the mixed cargo and passenger vessel Aranui to service the country’s most remote islands, these partnerships are proof of workable tourism solutions that benefit local communities whilst providing exceptional and authentic tourism experiences within the 5 different archipelagos of the destination.

Since the destination’s announcement of the Fari’ira’a Manihini 2027 (FM27) in 2022, extensive work has been taking place across the destination to engage stakeholders and the local population. Significant milestones include a sustainability focussed destination assessment of The Islands of Tahiti, an assessment of the tourism sector’s carbon footprint, and a population sentiment survey. In addition, Tahiti’s Tourism Authorities including the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourism Authority and Tahiti Tourisme committed to the creation of a tourist development master plan, launched an international visitor survey, and constructed a sustainable tourism action plan in consultation with industry partners, public services, and the population of The Islands of Tahiti, leading to the plan’s formalisation earlier this year.

Locally, Tahiti Tourisme has introduced engaging initiatives such as a Sustainable Tourism Challenge which encourages and highlights concrete actions taken by tourism stakeholders to promote more sustainable development. And to further engage with visitors, the destination launched the Hina initiative, a donation platform to support selected Tahitian not-for-profit sustainability projects that address key priorities in socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental protection.

Now, The Islands of Tahiti’s plans through to 2030 continue to demonstrate the destination’s commitment to ensuring that sustainable tourism remains a key priority. This critical roadmap seeks to safeguard the viability and beauty of the destination, whilst simultaneously positioning The Islands of Tahiti as one of the leading destinations in the Pacific for inclusive and sustainable tourism.  At the heart of the sustainability pathway plan sit the key pillars of sustainable management, social and economic benefits for the local population, and cultural and environmental sustainability, covering actions across every facet of tourism from the development of hiking trails to waste management.

Known for its idyllic and pristine environment, The Islands of Tahiti is home to ancient cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and resplendent marine life. The concept of Mana that resonates throughout every facet of the destination – the vital life force and spiritual energy that connects all things – creates an intrinsic link between preservation and the islands, and now in turn, with the destination’s pathway to sustainability.