French official opens door to tourist marriages in Tahiti
Monday, October 13th, 2008(Tahitipresse) - A French government official has opened the door to tourist marriages in Tahiti that could result in a new market of some 10,000-15,000 more American visitors yearly, according to French Polynesia President Gaston Tong Sang. French Overseas State Secretary Yves Jégo told American tour operators and travel agencies during a meeting in Los Angeles this past week that the visa situation to allow foreigners to marry in Tahiti should be changed within the next six months. The objective, he said, will be to make it easier for Americans to obtain visas for marriages, according to Tong Sang.
During the first year, Tahiti’s president said, this could produce 1,000 tourist marriages, representing 10,000-15,0000 more Americans.
In the past, the French government has required that foreigners live in Tahiti for one month to qualify getting married under French civil law.
The French government’s efforts to make it possible for Americans to more quickly obtain visas for marriages in Tahiti was one of several subjects that Jégo and Tong Sang discussed with the U.S. travel industry officials during the meeting in Los Angeles.