Tahiti Will Reopen to International Tourism in May 2021
In a press conference held on April 7, the French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch announced that Tahiti will open to international travel starting May 1st.
The South Pacific destination, famous for its beaches and culture, reopened last summer amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but had to temporarily close to tourists in February in order to curb the spread of the virus.
Tahiti’s Official Reopening Announcement
The announcement came after the French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch met with the French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the details of the effects that shutting down tourism is having on the economy of French Polynesia.
“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),” said Fritch. “We will explain this protocol in detail with the High Commissioner in the coming days.”
The Islands as of right now have fewer than 20 COVID-19 cases per week, and all adults in French Polynesia Have Been Cleared To Receive Vaccinations.
This does not make the rules of traveling to the Island any less strict. According to the details provided on the website of the High Commission, you’d have to pass a few tests in order to be approved to travel to Tahiti. There are rules regarding health, professional and family that should be met before you can be cleared to come into the country.
Only people aged 11 years and up are currently allowed to internationally enter the country, and there must be proof of a negative RT-PCR test result that is produced within three days of departure. The requirements further include a receipt of the health registration from ETIS, as well as a certificate of derogatory travel, and finally, a complete and signed sworn statement that you will abide by sanitory regulations.
Tahiti Islands and Tourism Central
The main island of Tahiti is one of the 118 islands in French Polynesia. These islands are also collectively known as the Islands of Tahiti and are located in five different South Pacific archipelagos: the Society Islands including Moorea and Bora Bora, the Tuamotu Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the southern Austral Islands, and the remote and least-populated Gambier Islands.
Due to the stunning views and location of the islands, beach and water sports are amongst its biggest tourist attraction.
Other big tourist activities are boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and beachcombing. The Islands of Tahiti are also one of a very few places in the world where you can freely swim along with marine mammals in the wild. The views are also picturesque and breathtaking.
https://twitter.com/TahitiTourism/status/1380234246581850112
It’s possible to swim near humpback whales off the islands of Moorea and Bora Bora, from July to October, and you can do so as well near the Austral Islands’ Rurutu and Raivavae.
In the Tuamotu Islands, off Rangiroa Atoll, it is possible for scuba divers and dolphins to swim together along the Tiputa Pass. Without getting your feet wet, you can naturally spot dolphins playing near shores at sunset as well.
Tahiti Tourism has announced that the laws regarding curfew and sanitary regulations may be reviewed before May 1. Their travel website provides a lot of useful information regarding travel details, health requirements and reservations.
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Photos credit: Deposit Photos
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