Moorea, October 5, 2026 – Three coordination meetings were held on Wednesday and Thursday in Moorea to help prepare the tourism strategy for French Polynesia for the years 2027-2035. Elected officials, residents, local associations, and tourism professionals shared their challenges and hopes for the future of tourism in the region. These meetings are part of the A Feruri Tātou initiative, which is being led jointly by the Pays and Tahiti Tourism. Since July, a group of representatives from Tahiti Tourism and the Tourism Service has been traveling across the islands for A Feruri Tātou. The goal is to gather input from various groups to shape the new tourism strategy. Last week, the group visited Moorea, where they held three meetings. On Wednesday morning, they met with the elected officials of the neighboring island at the Teavaro town hall, and in the afternoon, they held a session with residents and associations at the Paopao pier. On Thursday evening, the Moorea Tourism Committee and professionals had their turn, also at the Paopao pier. Bruno Jordan, head of the Tourism Service, explained that it is important to listen to different groups, as their expectations vary. "Each island has its own issues, and it is not possible to create a single tourism policy for all of French Polynesia. Each has its own specificities," he said. The strategy being developed aims to address local needs while continuing efforts to protect the environment and promote local culture. "Today, the question is no longer about how to further develop tourism. It is about defining what kind of tourism we want, under what conditions and at what pace," he added. During the meeting with elected officials, discussions focused on managing the frequency of visits to terrestrial and maritime tourist sites, improving infrastructure, preserving natural spaces, and monitoring tourism activities. The idea of controlled and adapted development that fits Moorea's unique situation was also discussed. On Wednesday evening, residents and associations, including cultural representatives and members of the PGEM association, raised several concerns. They mentioned that some service providers do not follow PGEM rules, exceed speed limits in protected marine areas, and fail to respect marine resources. They also pointed out the large number of service providers around the two small islets of Tiahura, noting that some guides do not know the legends of Moorea or even make up stories. They criticized the large concrete structures, such as tourist reception buildings, which change the landscape, and the lack of land for the local population. On Thursday evening, a workshop allowed tourism professionals to discuss the challenges they face in their work. Regarding the Belvédère in Opunohu, participants mentioned the high number of vehicles, the lack of parking spaces for service providers, and the risk of accidents or falls. They also discussed the conditions for accessing the site, pointing out the lack of sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and public lighting, which pose a danger to both tourists and residents, especially in the evening. The lack of public restrooms was also highlighted. Discussions then turned to the regulation of tourist activities, particularly in the lagoon. Some participants felt that too many licenses had been given to service providers. They also mentioned administrative delays in obtaining licenses and the need for more support for their work. In the hospitality sector, a shortage of labor and a lack of housing for employees from outside Moorea were noted. The training of young Polynesians in tourism-related professions and the certification of local guides were also discussed. At the end of the workshop, tourism stakeholders identified three main challenges: safety, the improvement of infrastructure and services, and the preservation of Moorea. These priorities will guide the proposed actions for the island in the new strategy. According to Bruno Jordan, many of the concerns raised by professionals align with those of the elected officials: "Based on the discussions, whether with the elected officials and the stakeholders, most of the orientations and needs align. There is safety as well as the regulation of activities on the water and on land," he said. When asked about long-standing issues that had clearly annoyed some tourism stakeholders, the head of the Tourism Service assured them that these concerns had been noted. "The idea of this new strategy is to solve existing problems. We note that number one is indeed the safety on tourist sites, particularly the Belvédère, in terms of road access, safety, etc.," he said. "There will be an action plan concerning the safety of tourist sites, which will be on Opunohu, but possibly on other sites. The idea is to find solutions to address all these safety issues." The measures that will be adopted must be presented in a report. The new strategy is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with implementation starting in 2027. Bruno Jordan finally reminded everyone that the development of the sector must consider the environment and the residents: "When we are in sustainable tourism, we need to find a balance between tourism development and environmental preservation. It is important. And especially, put the population at the center of this development."