French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France comprising 118 islands and atolls scattered across the South Pacific, is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to balance sustainable development with economic growth. Under President Moetai Brotherson, who assumed office in 2023, the territory aims to establish itself as a leading travel destination while safeguarding its unique environment, culture, and communities.

With a population of approximately 314,000, French Polynesia extends over five archipelagos and manages one of the world’s largest maritime zones, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering nearly 1.93 million square miles (5 million square kilometers). In 2024, this entire EEZ was designated a Class 6 Marine Protected Area, with 425,000 square miles subject to highly restricted protections—the largest of its kind worldwide. This vast protected area underpins the administration’s commitment to ocean conservation, as articulated by President Brotherson, who emphasizes that the environment is fundamental to both local wellbeing and tourism appeal.

The territory’s economic approach rests on four pillars: tourism, the blue economy, digital infrastructure, and clean energy. Tourism remains the dominant sector, accounting for record visitor arrivals over three consecutive years. In 2025 alone, French Polynesia welcomed approximately 281,000 tourists, marking a 6.6% increase from the previous year. North America contributes nearly 45% of these visitors, with the United States as the single largest source market, evidenced by over 108,000 U.S. arrivals that year. The accessibility of direct flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco facilitates this connection, making the destination more reachable than commonly perceived.

Tahiti Tourisme CEO Vaihere Lissant highlights that the territory’s tourism policy emphasizes managed growth rather than mass tourism, prioritizing authenticity, cultural engagement, and environmental sustainability. This approach is reflected in the Sustainable Tourism Plan 2030, developed with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, which outlines 110 actions in areas such as sustainable management, socioeconomic benefits, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. Notably, many smaller islands limit accommodations to family-run guesthouses or small-scale facilities to maintain their character and avoid overdevelopment.

French Polynesia’s blue economy initiatives underscore traditional and modern marine stewardship. Industrial purse-seine fishing is banned, foreign fishing fleets are excluded, and local vessels must comply with strict reporting and monitoring requirements. Practices such as Rāhui—temporary community-managed fishing closures—are formalized in 26 areas to support reef regeneration. Pearl farming, the territory’s second-largest export sector, produces millions of pearls annually, contributing significantly to the local economy.

Environmental innovation in clean energy includes the exploration of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), harnessing temperature differences in ocean waters to generate electricity, potentially reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. Additionally, sustainable technologies like seawater air conditioning (SWAC) are employed in luxury resorts, public hospitals, and other facilities to align luxury tourism with environmental responsibility.

Despite its ties to France, French Polynesia exercises substantial autonomy over economic and environmental policies. President Brotherson affirms a foreign policy stance of neutrality within the complex Indo-Pacific geopolitical environment, aiming to foster partnerships without aligning with specific powers.

Digital infrastructure is recognized as both a challenge and opportunity due to the territory’s vast, dispersed geography. Initiatives involving undersea fiber-optic cables and the deployment of low-earth orbit satellite internet constellations are underway to improve connectivity and support economic diversification.

Through these concerted efforts, French Polynesia seeks to model a sustainable path to growth that embraces its cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and economic innovation, inviting travelers and investors alike to participate in its evolving story.