The Bora Bora environment is truly unique. Today’s tourist is better informed & more discerning about travel destinations than any generation before. As more & more people travel, the quality of the environment has become a primary concern. Today’s tourist is more sensitive to polluted or environmentally degraded conditions than ever before. Such destinations have seen their tourist numbers evaporate.
In the long term tourism, one could argue that the development will depend on the quality of the Bora Bora environment!
Bora Bora recognized this inescapable fact many years ago. Knowing that tourism was the economic motor of the island, the local government, headed by Mayor, Gaston Tong Sang, set about an ambitious programme more than 20 years ago to ensure the island’s reputation as paradise on earth was justified & maintained.
For 15 consecutive years, Bora Bora has been awarded the Pavillon Bleu, the symbol of an exemplary environment & of durable development. The award recognizes the installation of proper drinking water throughout the island, and acknowledges the exceptional quality of the island’s bathing waters through a universal system of wastewater treatment facilities & through the collection & proper treatment of household & industrial rubbish.
Public beaches are equipped with appropriate sanitary facilities, yacht clubs & other mooring options are equipped to ensure the proper recuperation of waste from boats & the list of such achievements is long & ongoing. This level of commitment to the environment is unmatched. Statistics show that 65% of French citizens know the Pavillon Bleu label & 73% of them take it into consideration when determining their travel destination.
Bora Bora Environment, Environs, and Ethos
The waters in which we swim in Bora Bora are as clean as they look exceptional:
In a bold decision to see Bora Bora stay at the forefront of tourist expectations. The Mayor has recently embarked upon a substantial programme to produce 100% natural vegetables & fruit, initially for the island’s school children but, in turn, the island’s population & the tourists staying at the island’s hotels & resorts. Pesticide-free food & no toxic run-off into the lagoon – excellent!
In keeping with the approach of respecting the island’s environment, growing support has come from the commercial sector. Avis Car Rentals has recently bought a fleet of 12 Renault Twizy, 100% solar-powered electric cars & installed the necessary solar panels on the roof of the company’s headquarters in Vaitape.
The Renault Twizy is a 2-seater fun quad with 4-wheel disc brakes, a driver airbag & capable of 45km/h with a range of around 120km. Although compact, the quad is remarkably roomy and easily capable of comfortably accommodating large adults. To drive this model, no driver’s license is required.
Here’s one decked out in a traditional floral lei for the launch – the glass roof is an excellent option:
As the Mayor said, Bora Bora derives its name from words meaning ‘the first born’ & this was another first for Bora.
The government has visibly supported the vision in recognizing the benefit such vehicles could provide to the outer islands & by removing all duties & taxes for such vehicles imported into Tahiti, a not insignificant amount on the Twizy, the price of which was reduced from just under 2.4million xpf to just over 1.6million xpf.
Such vehicles not only fit the vision & philosophy of the island’s leaders but sit most comfortably with the island lifestyle where the sun shines freely & petroleum products are expensive, delivered by boat & often in short supply.
More importantly, when compared to a Fiat Panda, the Twizy will reduce the company’s usage of petrol by around 8000 litres per year, equating to 15 tons of CO2. Excellent news for the environment-conscious tourist.
As countries continue to develop, the more informed tourist will be quick to discern who & who does not furnish an exceptional environment.