Tahiti Is Creating a Smart Island Nation to Boost Tourism
Photo Credit: Overwater bungalows at Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa. Tahiti Tourisme
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Because the Tahitian islands are small and tightly clustered, the region provides a unique opportunity to connect multiple communities to create a smart nation economy. It could also serve as a model for other countries, like those in the Caribbean, with GDPs over-reliant on tourism.
The French Polynesia Ministry of Tourism announced a new partnership this month with Tahiti Innovation Labs and Florida-based Travel Startups Incubator to develop the Tahiti Smart Tourism initiative.
The long-term project goals include expanding free Wi-Fi access beyond the resorts, boosting visitor arrivals by digitalizing the guest experience, and developing new opportunities for local job growth and economic development.
Located 2,700 miles almost due south of Hawaii, French Polynesia consists of the main island of Tahiti, the primary tourism islands of Moorea and Bora Bora, and more than 100 lesser islands and atolls, many of which are uninhabited. Collectively the islands are often referred to simply as “Tahiti,” promoted by Tahiti Tourisme.
Tourism in French Polynesia has dropped significantly in the last decade from roughly 260,000 arrivals to 180,000, which is what’s driving this new tech initiative. Because the islands are small and clustered relatively clos
