TORONTO — The Islands of Tahiti has announced that it will be reopening to tourism starting May 1.

Following a meeting in Paris with French president Emmanuel Macron and other members of the French government, Edouard Fritch, president of French Polynesia, said the decision to reopen came as a result of low COVID-19 cases and ramped up vaccination efforts. French Polynesia is seeing less than 20 new cases per week and has opened vaccination against COVID-19 to all residents.

In preparation, Fritch said The Islands of Tahiti will put in place entry protocols at its borders using virological testing, serological testing, vaccine and ETIS (Electronic Travel Information System). “We will explain this protocol in detail with the High Commissioner in the coming days,” he said. 

In other promising news for the destination, the WTTC has awarded French Polynesia with its Safe Travels stamp, the world’s first global health and safety label for travel and tourism. 

Jean-Marc Mocellin, CEO of Tahiti Tourisme, said that the stamp is an “additional asset for the destination, which has distinguished itself with its avant-garde health protocol,” and that it also allows Tahiti to “promote our tourism providers who have been totally involved in this process from the start of this crisis.”

Nicole Bouteau, Minister of Tourism, added: “This recognition of our efforts by a global organization reassures our partners and visitors. Moreover, the UNWTO also wishes to share the presentation of French Polynesia within its network in order to inspire other destinations.”