Tahiti and the Cook Islands are looking to work more closely on joint marketing initiatives after Air Tahiti Nui and Air Rarotonga announced a new partnership that improves connectivity between the two destinations for European travellers.
South Pacific bound travellers now benefit from an expanded flight network, offering them simplified access and easier transfers to several islands.
The Papeete (Tahiti)/Rarotonga (Cook Islands) flights are operated jointly by the two airlines, with four weekly round-trip services.
Travel agents can sell through-fares to both destinations ex-UK, with clients flying to Los Angeles with Air Tahiti Nui’s partner airlines, American Airlines and British Airways, and then with Air Tahiti Nui to French Polynesia and Air Rarotonga to the Cook Islands.
From January next year, Air Tahiti Nui will also have in place an agreement with BA to fly passengers from the UK to both destinations via Seattle, said Nishi Caulleechurn, Key Account Manager for Air Tahiti Nui.
Air Tahiti Nui also operates up to seven flights a week between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Papeete, via Los Angeles.
The airline use Boeing Dreamliners, with 232 seats in Economy and 32 seats in Premium, on the route.
Ian Griffiths, Cook Islands Tourism, said the new flights “are a lifeline for the Cook islands” and present an opportunity for agents to sell a two-centre holiday adding: “Unlike Tahiti, the Cook Islands have always been an add on, rather than a standalone destination.
“We are a very authentic destination…there is one road all the way around Rarotonga, there are no traffic lights, no international hotel chains and no Mcdonald’s, and no building is higher than a coconut tree.”
Coming soon to the Cook Islands is a new luxury property, The Grand Resort, which is being is being promoted as Rarotonga’s first five-star resort.
Caulleechurn said agents need to plan ahead if they want to secure the Premium seats for clients, adding: “These are very popular as people upgrade on what is often a once-in-a-lifetime trip to a dreamy location.”
Flying time from the UK is approximately 11 hours from the UK to Los Angeles, eight hours and nine hours 25 minutes respectively from Los Angeles and Seattle to Tahiti and a further two hours and 45 minutes from Tahiti to Rarotonga.
Tahiti Tourism has launched a new campaign, Follow your Feelings in The Islands of Tahiti, which encourages travellers to “immerse themselves in the destination’s unique culture and landscapes, guided by their emotions and intuition”.
A spokesperson for Tahiti Tourism commented: “This approach emphasises experiencing the islands beyond typical tourist activities, fostering a deeper connection with the local culture, and finding joy in the present moment.”
