The Grand Pavois, International afloat Boat Show will be held from the 15th to the 20th of September 2010 at the Port des Minimes in La Rochelle. 850 exhibitors are expected on 100 000 m2 of exhibition. 300 boats will be presented afloat on 700 presentations at the show. Themes for all visitors. True reference for enthusiasts, the Grand Pavois offers a unique opportunity to try the boats at sea before purchasing. The Grand Pavois is ranked 5th international afloat boat shows and is the 1st world event for cruising multihulls.
After Turkey, Tahiti islands!
For the year of Turkey in France, the millennial’s history country was guest of honour at the Grand Pavois in 2009. And if the Guadeloupe and New Caledonia had in their time, respectively, thrilled the event as guest of honour, this year Tahiti islands will be the country highlighted in 2010! A decision made within a very short time that shows real enthusiasm for this destination that creates dreams of escape. A true land of exile and inspiration, Polynesia is a vast peace haven comprised of 5 archipelagos and 118 islands. Society Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Marquesas, Gambier Islands, Austral Islands … Those are real gems that 100 000 visitors will discover, next September, to the Grand Pavois!
Paradises hidden in the heart of the Pacific
In the middle of the South Pacific, Tahiti islands make up the largest marine territory in the world with 5.5 million km2, equivalent to European territory. The land area is for only 4 000 m2 divided into 118 islands and 5 archipelagos. Epitome of magic: each island offers a unique face! With successively green’s volcanic islands and turquoise’s coral atolls… dust of stars far from major political and economic centres, Tahiti islands are characterized by their remoteness. Not a single continent in less than 5 700 km – Australia. France is to the other side of the world, 17 000 km away. Most islands have only a few hundred not to say a few dozen people and about forty of them remain uninhabited. Tahiti, of which the capital is Papeete, is the largest of these islands (over 1 000 km2) and most populated with 180 000 inhabitants.
Tourism, economy’s driving force
Overseas country, Polynesia enjoys a statue of autonomy, with greater self-governing powers through their own Assembly and President. With these powers, the country is now negotiating international agreements with foreign states in matters of commerce and investment. Pearl farming, agriculture and fisheries are key sectors of the local economy. Tourism is an important vector of direct and indirect job and is the primary source of revenue for the country. Some figures: 42.1% of tourists are European, 31.9% are from North America, 10.8% Asian, 10.9% of Pacific countries and 3.3% of Latin America. The average length of stay was 13.2 days and 23.7 days for French tourists.
Strong history and traditions!
Around 4000 BC, a great migration began from Southeast Asia across open Ocean to settle the Pacific Islands. Using double canoes, these first intrepid navigators, through their knowledge of wind, currents and stars, travelled eastwards, colonizing the centre’s islands between 500 BC and 500 after Christ. Over the next several centuries, great migrations to colonize all the Tahitian islands and virtually the entire South Pacific took place. This area of the Pacific Ocean is now called the „Polynesian Triangle“ and includes Hawaii to the north, Easter Island to the southeast, and New Zealand to the southwest. As a result of these migrations, the native Hawaiians and the Maoris of New Zealand all originate from common ancestors and speak a similar language collectively known as Maohi. After that, the era of great discoveries began, with Magellan, Alvaro de la Mendana, Samuel Wallis then Antoine de Bougainville and James Cook. In 1842 the French protectorate was eventually signed with the Queen Pomare IV and Pomare V, last king of Tahiti, approves the annexation in 1880.
Environmental protection, water sports, ecotourism, cultural tourism, arts… unavoidable tourist attractions!
If the myth of the cruise is innate when talking about the islands, the awareness for sea protection was also significantly strengthened over the years: turtle’s protection centre and clinic, coral’s nursery, lagoons‘ protection, cetaceans‘ preservation… Ecotourism has also increased greatly and combines „blue and green“ based on terrestrial and submarine flora and fauna that are absolutely exceptional! Enjoy as well many archaeological sites and of the possibility to live at the Polynesian in a small family hotels in strong growth in the islands. A beautiful return to the roots to live according to islands traditions! Of course, water sports are honoured with exceptional diving, surfing, canoe racing and sailing’s spots.
And do not miss either the amazing Polynesian’s arts with tattoos, dance and music, craftsmanship and the bewitching black pearls… Do not miss also the magical flavours of Polynesian food with fruit, fish raw marinated in lemon and coconut milk, vanilla and the „ma’a tinito„, a mixture of pork, beans, macaroni and potato… It goes without saying that Tahiti islands as guest of honour at the International Boat Show, will fill with joy more than 100 000 visitors!
A hall dedicated to Tahiti islands…
Note that a hall of 800 to 1 000 m2 will be dedicated to Tahiti islands, where it will be possible to obtain all information to go and discover this extraordinary destination. Tourism offices, cruise lines, generalist and specialists tour operators (diving, fishing…), craftsmen (pearls…), boating experts (marinas…)… Tahiti islands will invest the Grand Pavois for six days, from the 15th to the 20th of September 2010, with its rituals and its traditions, its dances and traditional music, tattoos and Monoi’s smells… An event that you cannot miss!
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