Air Tahiti Nui announced last month the appointment of Nicholas Panza to the position of Vice President Americas. In his new post, Mr. Panza will oversee operations – including passenger sales and marketing – of French Polynesia’s national airline throughout the Americas. He will assume his new responsibilities on October 1, 2006, based at Air Tahiti Nui’s U.S. headquarters office in Los Angeles. The airline is also pleased to announce the new appointment of Jeannie Kutz as the Regional Sales Manager for New York, Connecticut, and several Southeastern states to be determined shortly. Her contact information is as follows:

Air Tahiti Nui
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 608
NY, NY 10168
Telephone: 212-922-1860 ext 12
E-Fax: 866-316-7060
E-mail: jkutz@airtahitinui.com

Air Tahiti Nui’s incredible September Sale: Fly one-way New York to Sydney from $444 or to Auckland from $394 with FREE Stopovers in Tahiti.

Book by September 26 for travel September 18 through December 8, 2006, and secure Moana (economy) class flights from New York to Sydney from $444* each way, and to Auckland from $394* each way (roundtrip purchase required; fuel and insurance fees included, government/airport fees extra).*
Sydney-bound flights depart out of New York on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with N.Y—Auckland flights on Mondays and Wednesdays. Complete the South Pacific sojourn by decompressing in Tahiti with a free stopover. Spend a few nights en route to or from the U.S. barefoot and fancy-free unwinding on Tahiti’s black and white sand beaches, snorkeling in the crystal blue waters off a secluded motu near Taha’a, lounging on the private deck of a luxurious overwater bungalow in Bora Bora, or enjoying a taurumi spa treatment in Moorea.

Book now at www.airtahitinui-usa.com or call toll-free 1-877-824-4846.

* Certain conditions apply – check their website for details.

Air Tahiti Nui Signs Agreement with American Airlines to offer AAdvantge Members Mileage Accrual and Redemption Opportunities
American Airlines AAdvantage members can now accrue miles and redeem them for reward tickets on Air Tahiti Nui’s nonstop service from both Los Angeles International Airport and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tahiti. In addition, AAdvantage members can accumulate and cash in miles on Air Tahiti Nui’s nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Paris, as well as its convenient one-stop connections from Papeete to Sydney and Auckland.

Air Tahiti Nui

Orient-Express’s Marù Spa at the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort & Spa has just introduced five new signature products that were made under the direction of Spa Director Rachelle Moulai. Blended and bottled in Tahiti through a local, small-batch producer, these revitalizing body products are available exclusively for purchase at the Marù Spa. The private label line relies wholly on local natural ingredients – noni, Tamanu, Pineapple, Monoi to named a few – and is blended to create the best, most harmonized products for mind, body and soul. Opened in May of 2004, Marù spa features six treatment rooms set either waterfront or 12 feet above ground in the branches of two 40-foot Caoutchouc trees. The setting matches the symbiotic pleasures of the treatments offered within. Marù in English translates to “kind”, “gentle”, “slowly”, “soft of sound”, and “soft of touch”, appropriate words for the ultimate spa experience.

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort & Spa

September 22, 2006 will mark the last day of the General Manager at Hotel Bora Bora, Martial Thevenaz, whose career change will take him to Costa Rica. To date, the Hotel Bora Bora has not appointed a new General Manager but the dedicated hotel team remains available for their guests’ needs:
North America Sale Representative: Marci Bogusz at mbogusz@amanresorts.com
Hotel Operation: Livio Ranza at eam@hotelborabora.pf
Hotel Global Sales: Bianca Henry at bhenry@amanresorts.com

Hotel Bora Bora

InterContinental Hotels Group has recently won two major awards at the inaugural MAXXhotel Awards, which recognize the most profitable hotels in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. These awards are reputed to be the only hotel awards based solely on operating performance, and because only a small number of hotels make the nomination cut for each category, those nominated are considered to be the cream of the crop. Of 10 award categories, InterContinental Hotels Group was eligible to enter seven, eventually coming away with two wins. In addition, InterContinental Resort Moorea was nominated for an award in recognition of its exceptional performance. The winners of this year's awards were determined based on data obtained in the Horwath 2006 Survey of Operations, which analyzed the 2005 financial performance of close to 250 hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Region.

On another note, the Deep Ocean Spa by Algotherm, the championship tennis court, and the Blue Lagoon Wedding Chapel of the Intercontinental Resort & Thalasso Spa Bora Bora recently opened on September 01, 2006.

InterContinental Resort and Thalasso Spa Bora Bora

Pearl Resorts & Spa, managed by one of Tahiti’s leading luxury resort companies, is pleased to offer a unique option for guests seeking to celebrate their nuptials in paradise. For couples who spend a minimum of eight nights with the participating resorts, a complimentary Polynesian wedding is arranged on their behalf, situated on a white sand beach with traditional flowers, musicians and authentic Polynesian customs – a savings of $1,000 on an unforgettable wedding experience.

At Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa, the Pa’I Miti wedding ceremony includes a 15-minute romantic beachside service, a marriage certificate, and an album of 10 photographs from the ceremony.
At Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, the wedding ceremony takes place in the private chapel, decorated with fresh flowers. Following the one-hour ceremony where the couple is given traditional Tahitian names, they are wrapped in a traditional Polynesian wedding quilt, known as the Tifaifai, and toasted with Champagne. Also included is a photograph album of 24 photos of the ceremony.

The offer is valid beginning November 1, 2006 through December 22, 2007, with black-out dates from July 1, 2007 to October 31, 2007. Offer is subject to availability and cannot be combined with other promotional offers. Ceremonies are strictly symbolic and not legally binding in the U.S., unless the 30-day waiting period is observed in advance.

Pearl Resorts & Spa

As of June, Le Maitai welcomes Catherine Savatier, who has become general manager at the Bora Bora resort after 10 years of hotel management in the Caribbean and French Antilles. Savatier’s experience and enthusiasm bode well for the future of Le Maitai Bora Bora.
Also at Le Maitai, the Haere Mai restaurant proposes a refined “a la carte” dinner every day. Under Food and Beverage Manager, Eric Leroy and chef Xavier Lafosse, the restaurant includes a program of themed evenings, such as West Indian Evening and the weekly Le Maitai Polynesia Night, which features a bountiful buffet, traditional dance show, and Polynesian arts and handicrafts. Finally, Le Maitai will be undergoing considerable renovations in all 19 of its beach and overwater bungalows, such as reroofing, improved water distribution, and air conditioning. Renovations are set to be completed by the end of the year.

Le Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora

New Re-Opening Special at the Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort
From November 1 through December 21, 2006 and again from January 5 through March 31, 2007, Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort will offer a MAP meal plan which includes breakfast and lunch. The MAP plan is good for 1 or 2 guests and requires a minimum 4-night stay*. Please use code: "Reopening Offer" at the time of booking and on the client's voucher.
*2007 rates must be used.

Kid's Special at the Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort
Children's offer: Kid's play set with T-shirt.
Please use code "KID" at the time of booking and on the client's voucher.

Specials valid for ALL Resorts in French Polynesia

Honeymoon Offer: (valid 12 months following the date of civil wedding) 25% discount offered to the bride on accommodation only (excluding tax). This offer includes a basket of beauty products (massage oil, body lotion, scented pearls…) Please use code "HNM" at the time of booking and on the client's voucher. Wedding Anniversary Offer: (every 5 years beginning from 25 years of marriage up to 50, valid 6 months after the anniversary of civil wedding date) 25% discount offered for the bride on accommodation only excluding tax. This offer includes a basket of beauty products (oil for massages, body lotion, scented pearls…). Please use code "WDG" at the time of booking and on the client's voucher. Long Stay: (this offer is valid from 01JAN07 to 31MAY07, from 16NOV07 to 21DEC07, and from 05JAN08 to 31MAR08) For 5 consecutive nights booked in any category : PAY 4 / STAY 5 - 1 night free! Please use code: "P4S5" at the time of booking and on the client's voucher. Combo discounts: 2 islands 10% - 3 islands 12% - 4 islands 15% - These discounts are applicable on the room rate excluding tax for guests staying in Sofitel and Novotel hotels in the islands and must include Sofitel Tahiti Resort. Please use codes "COMBO2" / "COMBO3" / "COMBO4" at the time of booking and on the voucher. Senior Offer: (this offer is valid from 01JAN07 to 31MAY07, from 16NOV07 to 21DEC07, and from 05JAN08 to 31MAR08) If one person over 60 years is staying in a room, a 10% discount is offered on the room rate excluding taxes. If two persons over 60 years are staying in the same room, a 20% discount is offered on the room rate excluding taxes. This offer also includes a basket of beauty products (oil for massages, body lotion, scented pearls…). Please use code "Senior 1" or "Senior 2" respectively, at the time of booking and on the client's voucher.

***Please note that all specials are valid beginning January 1st, 2007, with the exception of the Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort Re-opening special. ***Please note you MUST use your 2007 rates for all special offers, including the Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort Re-Opening! To book the above special deals from Sofitel, please check with your preferred Tour Operator!!!   Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort