April 15, 2010 – The professionals in the hotel industry of Tahiti are expressing increasing concern about the islands’ tourism future. At a recent meeting, they highlighted the urgent need for political intervention to support the ailing sector. 🌴✨
Current scenario
The Conseil des Professionnels de l’Hôtellerie (CPH) has been vocal about the challenges faced by the tourism industry. Last March, they urgently requested help from French Polynesian officials. Unfortunately, not only has the situation not improved since the last appeal, recent statistics indicate a downward trend that is more severe than previously anticipated.
Stark statistics
According to CPH co-president Marc Reissinger, visitor numbers for the first quarter of 2010 are projected to have decreased by 10 to 15% compared to 2009. This follows an already troubling year in 2009, where the island saw its lowest tourist numbers since 1996, with only 160,447 visitors as reported by the French Polynesia Statistical Institute (ISPF). This was a significant drop of 18.3% from 2008. 📉
The bleak Outlook for 2010
The forecast for 2010 is concerning with hotel occupancy rates for major establishments in Tahiti potentially plummeting to around 30%. Such low numbers signal a dire need for intervention, as many fear that without it, several hotels might face closures. This fear is already becoming a reality as one of Tahiti’s renowned establishments, the Hilton Hotel, shut its doors on March 31, resulting in the loss of approximately 130 jobs.
Call to action
Reissinger emphasizes the importance of not wasting time in addressing these pressing issues. He has cautioned against any delays caused by governmental changes, underscoring that the industry cannot afford further postponements to crucial support measures.
