To travel or not to travel? Or perhaps the question you keep pondering is “Where to travel post COVID-19?”
I am not suggesting you should be running out to book a departure date for next week. I am a firm believer that everybody should travel only when they feel comfortable in doing so. However, frequent travellers are feeling the need and even infrequent travellers are looking for something special to look forward to.
We all know it is extraordinary times and as we slowly start coming out of this Corona Virus time frame, everyone should start planning their travels when they feel comfortable and are excited about going away once again. For some it will be much sooner than others. One thing I think all travellers would agree upon, is planning and booking a trip provides you something to look forward to in the future and is a great source of happiness and excitement. You may be travelling in October 2020 or it may be October 2021 – but after months of isolation and living very restricted lifestyles just having a date on the books gives hope and excitement for the future helping you get through the present.
Years ago, Tahiti Tourisme had a promotional campaign with the tagline “Privacy Comes Naturally.” As we move forward with travel in the future post Covid times, that statement says a lot about The Islands of Tahiti. It is not a marketing slogan that was created for our times today – it is something we Tahiti lovers know is true and have been enjoying and promoting for years.
Have a look a this short video clip from back in March 2015:
The privacy of the islands is without a doubt a drawing card for vacationing in French Polynesia. The Islands of Tahiti have a lot to offer travellers who are looking to get away for a special break as the world begins to open up once again for travel.
As I mentioned, whether you are travelling in 2020 or want to plan now for 2021 – here are my Top 10 Reasons why The Islands of Tahiti are the best destination to visit in the post Covid Travel era:
1. Mental Health
You Need a Break. You deserve a Reward! And Tahiti is a great reward! Everyone in the world has gone through a very tough and challenging time. Anxiety levels have skyrocketed as people have had to deal with loss, unknowns and changes that have been far beyond our normal comfort zones.
Mental Health Research Canada has reported increased anxiety levels across the country with some provinces up as much as 20% 1 and Mental Health America is reporting similar numbers with clinical anxiety levels across the US up 19% 2 .
Vacations are good for our mental health – it is good to treat yourself, get away from the routine and create some special memories. Having a dream vacation planned and booked provides you something to look forward to and gives light at the end of a dark tunnel. There is no light that shines brighter than The Islands of Tahiti!
2. Covid-19 Free Destination
While the Corona Virus escalated rapidly around the world, The Islands of Tahiti only had 60 cases, with 2 hospitalizations and no deaths. The islands went into a full lock down mode and the virus has been fully eradicated with no active cases since May 29th.
3. International Connections
French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France. They are a semi-autonomous territory and create their own laws however they have influence and support from France which brings in many European health and safety criteria. Unlike some smaller island nations, French Polynesia have excellent medical care and have always had high European standards for food and cleanliness. Resorts are adhering to World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as local health authorities and governmental advisories.
Middle Row: Intercontinental Tahiti, Four Seasons Bora Bora
Bottom Row: Intercontinental Thalasso Bora Bora, Sofitel Private Island Bora Bora, Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Additional, a large of the resorts are part of large International Chains such as St Regis, Four Season, Intercontinental, Sofitel, Relais & Chateau, Conrad, Hilton and more. All of these International hotel organizations are implementing standards and changes their hotels must abide by prior to reopening.
4. Few Tourists
Bora Bora and its sister islands are all famous, however in reality, few people visit French Polynesia each year in relations to other destinations. It is a boutique destination. Hawaii gets as many guests in 7 days as French Polynesia does in a whole year! The MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas has more rooms than all the resorts, on all the islands in French Polynesia put together. Tahiti is definitely not an overly commercialized destination or suffer from mass and over tourism.
As mentioned, we know the country has successfully eliminated the virus in the islands. Of course, as tourism opens up, there is always a chance, even with precautions in place, the virus could be introduced to the islands again – however, it is a much smaller chance with the limited number of tourists arriving to the destination.
5. Isolation
French Polynesia is located in the middle of the South Pacific with nothing else around but open ocean. The islands are about 4000 miles/6,400 kms from California its’ primary gateway for North Americans and Europeans. And about 2500 miles/4000 kms from Auckland New Zealand the primary gateway for the South Pacific. So access to the islands is very limited making any spread of Covid-19 much more difficult than in most countries all over the world with land borders to contend with.
6. Bungalow Style Accommodation
The overwhelming majority of rooms in the islands are bungalow style. They are self standing units so when you leave your room, you are outside – no hallways or time stuck indoors where you are running into other people. There is plenty of room for social distancing.
7. Small Resorts
The overwhelming majority of resorts in French Polynesia have less than 100 rooms with some as small as La Pirogue API on Taha’a with only 4 rooms or the Sofitel Private Island Resort in Bora Bora with only 30 individual bungalows! It is a vastly different experience than staying at one of the mega properties in Mexico or the Caribbean which commonly have more than 1000 rooms. In French Polynesia there is always space on the beach, by the pool, in the restaurants and of course the bungalows are incredible and a great place to spend time.
Along with the smaller sized resorts and the bungalow style rooms, there is truly little need for an elevator apart from a few hotels on the main island of Tahiti. Almost all resorts are walkable, you are outside in the fresh air and there are very few levels so no need to step into a confined busy elevator with other strangers.
8. Outdoor Living
When you visit Tahiti, you are there to enjoy the outdoors – the beach, the lagoons, the mountains, and the amazing accommodations as previously discussed. Life takes place outside and weather is hot all year round for whenever you want to travel. Even most restaurants have an option for open air dining so there are no worries about being trapped inside all the time – you will rarely be indoors!
9. Small and Private Tours
All the tours I offer to my clients are small groups – typically 10 – 12 people or else fully private tours which is the way to go if you can afford it. There are no concerns of big crowds like you would find in Rome at the Vatican or lines of people like you see on the Great Wall of China – the Islands of Tahiti are very different. The tours all take place outside in the fresh clean South Pacific air! Your activities will be memorable and isolated experiences – the way it always has been, and always will be for guests. As previously just mentioned, in The Islands of Tahiti, “Privacy comes Naturally”.
10. Room Service
Let’s face it, when you order room service at a standard hotel it is usually as you are tired, feeling lazy or exhausted due to corporate travel. It is often not an enjoyable experience and done more so for a convenience. Not the case in Tahiti – room service is a luxurious experience. To dine by your private pool or on the deck of your overwater bungalow is a true delight. If hitting the restaurants worries you in a post Covid era – know you have incredible in room dining experiences in your own bungalow. In fact, some resorts are even waiving the room service charge to help encourage guests to dine in.
Once again, I honestly believe everyone should travel when they personally feel comfortable with it. There is no rush except when you feel it is right and all travellers will be different. But as we have learned, life can turn on a dime and not always in the right direction. The last few months have proven that to the whole world.
It is important we live our dreams. Do not keep your bucket list items in an overflowing bucket – take them out, live them and cherish those memories for the rest of your life!
If you are interested in planning your dream trip to Tahiti and her Islands, give me a call or shoot me an email and we can talk it over and get the planning start. I have packages available now right through to the end of 2021.
Happy and safe travels!
Carl
Notes:
- Mental Health Research Canada – https://www.mhrc.ca/our-research/
- Mental Health America – https://mhanational.org/covid19
