PAPE'ETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia (30 Sep 2001) -- The bankruptcy of Renaissance Cruises has Tahitian tourism in a state of shock. The two cruise ships, Renaissance 3 and Renaissance 4, which operated throughout French Polynesia's Leeward Islands, are now stuck in Pape'ete Harbor. A total of 862 U.S. tourists are stranded in Tahiti and the economic welfare of all the tour operators and associated companies working for Renaissance is in jeopardy. French Polynesia Vice President Edouard Fritch said that the crisis is "a painful blow for tourism." On Pape'ete's docks, U.S. tourists expressed both anger and sadness. Hawaiian Airlines, the official Renaissance carrier, will take the tourists back to Los Angeles. But the company expects Renaissance to pay for the service. | | The company representing Renaissance Cruises in Pape'ete has not commented on the matter. The Tahitian tradition of hospitality will help accommodate the stranded visitors. Tourism is the most important revenue earner in French Polynesia. Last year Tahiti had 252,000 visitors, resulting in income of US$ 384 million. There were 33,000 cruise ship passengers in French Polynesia over the first six months of 2001, 60 percent of whom were U.S. citizens. SOURCE - Tahiti Presse |
