Tahiti and its islands: a downturn in nuptial tourism?

Abstract

In the middle of the South Pacific, French Polynesia is one of the emblematic and archetypal locations for tropical island tourism. It has created a paradisiac image with its turquoise waters, white sandy beaches under the shade of coconut trees, sensual vahine, romantic sunsets, island life, tropicality, hospitality and sensuality. These elements offer a complete change of scene and exoticism at a premium, the “trip of a lifetime” often organized for couples seeking weddings or honeymoons off the beaten track, romantic getaways to celebrate a wedding anniversary, or wedding vow renewals, etc. The present article provides a state of the art review of this form of nuptial tourism in French Polynesia (tourist profile, places visited, duration of stay, place representations) and its regional significance and issues.

Keywords

• French Polynesia
• practices
• Nuptial tourism
• honeymoon
• places
• tourism identity