TAHITI AND HER ISLANDS, GUEST OF HONOUR 2010

After Turkey, Tahiti and her islands!

For the year of Turkey in France, the millennial’s history country was guest of honour at the Grand Pavois in 2009. And if the Guadeloupe and New Caledonia had in their time, respectively, thrilled the event as guest of honour, this year Tahiti and her islands will be the country highlighted in 2010! A decision made within a very short time that shows real enthusiasm for this destination that creates dreams of escape. A true land of exile and inspiration, Polynesia is a vast peace haven comprised of 5 archipelagos and 118 islands. Society Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Marquesas, Gambier Islands, Austral Islands ... Those are real gems that 100 000 visitors will discover, next September, to the Grand Pavois!

Paradises hidden in the heart of the Pacific

In the middle of the South Pacific, Tahiti and her islands make up the largest marine territory in the world with 5.5 million km2, equivalent to European territory. The land area is for only 4 000 m2 divided into 118 islands and 5 archipelagos. Epitome of magic: each island offers a unique face! With successively green's volcanic islands and turquoise's coral atolls... dust of stars far from major political and economic centres, Tahiti and her islands are characterized by their remoteness. Not a single continent in less than 5 700 km - Australia. France is to the other side of the world, 17 000 km away. Most islands have only a few hundred not to say a few dozen people and about forty of them remain uninhabited. Tahiti, of which the capital is Papeete, is the largest of these islands (over 1 000 km2) and most populated with 180 000 inhabitants.

Tourism, economy’s driving force

Overseas country, Polynesia enjoys a statue of autonomy, with greater self-governing powers through their own Assembly and President. With these powers, the country is now negotiating international agreements with foreign states in matters of commerce and investment. Pearl farming, agriculture and fisheries are key sectors of the local economy. Tourism is an important vector of direct and indirect job and is the primary source of revenue for the country. Some figures: 42.1% of tourists are European, 31.9% are from North America, 10.8% Asian, 10.9% of Pacific countries and 3.3% of Latin America. The average length of stay was 13.2 days and 23.7 days for French tourists.

Strong history and traditions!

Around 4000 BC, a great migration began from Southeast Asia across open Ocean to settle the Pacific Islands. Using double canoes, these first intrepid navigators, through their knowledge of wind, currents and stars, travelled eastwards, colonizing the centre's islands between 500 BC and 500 after Christ. Over the next several centuries, great migrations to colonize all the Tahitian islands and virtually the entire South Pacific took place. This area of the Pacific Ocean is now called the “Polynesian Triangle” and includes Hawaii to the north, Easter Island to the southeast, and New Zealand to the southwest. As a result of these migrations, the native Hawaiians and the Maoris of New Zealand all originate from common ancestors and speak a similar language collectively known as Maohi. After that, the era of great discoveries began, with Magellan, Alvaro de la Mendana, Samuel Wallis then Antoine de Bougainville and James Cook. In 1842 the French protectorate was eventually signed with the Queen Pomare IV and Pomare V, last king of Tahiti, approves the annexation in 1880.