3rd edition of the national meetings of the tourism overseas
MIL OSI Translation. French Polynesian to English –
Source: Government of French Polynesia
The Minister of Tourism, Nicole Bouteau, participated in the 3rd edition of the National Meeting of Tourism Overseas, which took place, Monday in Paris, the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Opened by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and closed by the Minister of Overseas, Annick Girardin, these meetings, organized on the sidelines of the Tourism Industry Fair Top Resa, allow public and private ultramarine actors to discuss themes that are at the heart of overseas tourism development.
Several round tables punctuated this day which was also attended for Polynesia, Christian Vernaudon, advisor and member of the Overseas denunciation of the CESE (Economic, Social and Environmental Council), Paul Sloan, Director General of Tahiti Tourism which was accompanied by Gina Bunton, director of international operations of Tahiti Tourism, Bud Gilroy, President of Tahiti Cruise Club and Stéphane Renard who represented the Maritime Cluster of French Polynesia.
The first panel of discussions focused on the EESC's recommendations in its recent opinion: "Promoting Sustainable Tourism in the Overseas". In this opinion, the EESC calls for sustainable and economically viable tourism, which responds to environmental and climate challenges, taking into account current and future impacts. He advocates putting the cultural identity and the wealth of the biodiversity of the Overseas at the heart of their strategy. For this, the training, the involvement and the sensitization of the populations are essential to this step. During the discussions, Nicole Bouteau intervened to indicate that Polynesia fully adhered to the recommendations made by the EESC through the Tourism Development Strategy 2015-2020 implemented in Polynesia for 3 years.
Enhanced support for territories and project promoters was also mentioned. This support piloted by "France Tourisme Ingénierie" created at the initiative of the Interministerial Committee of January 19, 2018, is a national system that aims to accelerate tourism investment in all territories to facilitate the adaptation of the offer to the challenges of internationalization. Based on Atout France as well as on the contribution to the financing of the Territorial Bank, it will be deployed for the benefit of all overseas territories in the coming months.
The value of the commitment to welcome and quality services was the subject of a rich exchange. Strengthening and improving the quality of the tourism offer are strong elements to develop the attractiveness and guarantee the competitiveness of destinations. France is characterized by a multitude of quality labels or approaches, implemented by voluntary networks, integrated chains, professional organizations, associations, certification bodies, etc.These whole processes cover the names themselves. the same (charters, labels, certifications, qualifications), which are not based on the same requirements or the same modalities. This round table was an opportunity to present some of these names that are based on various requirements and modalities.
These national meetings ended with two panels: one on the promotion of gastronomy and culinary arts overseas as a vector for tourism development and the other on the tourism issues of the development of yachting and boating. This last round table hosted in particular a speaker from the Maritime Cluster of French Polynesia. It was an opportunity to discuss the links between the issues of the nautical sector, and those of the tourist attractiveness of the territories. The quality of infrastructure, the presence of skills and know-how, the stability of economic and environmental standards are all factors that should allow overseas territories to be constituted as essential tourist destinations in this sector.
The minister of Tourism continues its mission and will participate in the IFTM Top Resa, which is one of the biggest fairs of tourism and travel, held annually in Paris. She will meet with tour operators and airlines present at the event to discuss the prospects of the “destination Tahiti and her islands” on the French market.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Please forgive us should the grammar and/or sentence structure is not be perfect.