Long Time Leader of Tahiti Tourisme North America Passes Torch to Deputy Director

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tahiti Tourisme North America (TTNA), the DMO (Destination Marketing Office) for the country of French Polynesia (more commonly known as "the islands of Tahiti"), announces the transition of the current managing director Al Keahi to consultant and Jonathan Reap, TTNA's current deputy director, to managing director, beginning December 1, 2011.

Keahi began the El Segundo-based office for Tahiti Tourisme North America nearly 20 years ago. During his tenure, he created many successful programs that have since been initiated in Tahiti Tourisme offices worldwide, such as the Tahiti Tiare Specialist Program for travel agent specialization in the destination. Keahi will continue to be involved with Tahiti Tourisme and will be a consultant on key projects related to the destination.

"I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with so many dedicated and talented partners, both in North America and in Tahiti, in marketing such a beautiful destination throughout the years. Together we have implemented many marketing and promotions initiatives to improve the infrastructure and increase tourism awareness of the islands of Tahiti. It has been a true team effort," said Keahi.

Reap was appointed by the Tahiti Tourisme Board of Directors, based in Tahiti. He has worked for TTNA for ten years, most recently serving as deputy director. He is fluent in French and began his adventure with the islands of Tahiti in 1991. 

Reap noted, "I am very pleased to have been chosen by the board of Tahiti Tourisme as the new managing director of TTNA. It has been a pleasure working for TTNA and with Al over the past decade. We have a great team in place and we are all looking forward to continuing to work closely with the entire tourism industry for Tahiti in the coming months and beyond. We are also looking forward to working closely with Al in his new role as a consultant."  

As the DMO for the islands of Tahiti, TTNA oversees all business and consumer outreach including marketing, advertising, public relations, promotions, events, and travel agent programs conducted throughout North America. TTNA works regularly with airline, hotel, resort, tour operator and cruise line partners from their prospective business development to product launch, and ultimately into marketing initiatives in North America.

Easier to travel to than most imagine, Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport is only an eight-hour flight from Los Angeles with daily nonstop flights. Tahiti is halfway between Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia, in the same time zone as Hawaii and on the same side of the International Date Line as North America.

Photo of Al Keahi: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/AL-KEAHI.jpg
Photo of Jonathan Reap: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/JONATHAN-REAP.jpg

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Kristen Bergevin
The Phelps Group
310 752 4400 x181
[email protected]

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.