The islands of Tahiti will welcome tourists once again as of 1 May, with French Polynesia obtaining ‘Safe Travels’ certification.
French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch made the announcement on Wednesday after returning from Paris where he met with several members of the French government and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“We are going to put in place a protocol at the entry of our borders using virological testing, serological testing, vaccine and ETIS (Electronic Travel Information System),” Fritch said.
“We will explain this protocol in detail with the High Commissioner in the coming days.”
This came as French Polynesia was certified as a World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels destination.
The safety label was designed specifically to deal with COVID-19 and similar health situations and is a first of its kind.
After reviewing the protocols and awareness actions deployed by French Polynesia, WTTC president and chief executive Gloria Guevara said she was delighted to recognise the country’s efforts in health security measures in accordance with the global Safe Travels protocols.
Jean-Marc Mocellin, CEO of Tahiti Tourisme, said: “This is an additional asset for the destination, which has distinguished itself with its avant-garde health protocol.
“It also allows us to promote our tourism providers who have been totally involved in this process from the start of this crisis.
The announcement came shortly after the New Zealand government set the long-awaited date for quarantine-free two-way travel between Australia and New Zealand.
Government officials have also hinted that travel could open up between Australia and Singapore, Japan and even Fiji as soon as August.
However, the federal government has not yet released word of when Aussies will be able to travel quarantine-free between French Polynesia and Australia.
Featured image source: iStock/TriggerPhoto
