Marquesas Islands Become UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Marquesas Islands, a remote and picturesque archipelago in the South Pacific, have officially been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site as of last weekend. This recognition comes as part of the latest UNESCO convention, which added 24 new properties to its prestigious list, including significant sites related to Nelson Mandela in South Africa and a rainforest rock cave complex in Malaysia. The Marquesas, known as Te Henua Enata or "The Land of Men," consists of 12 islands, with a population of approximately 9,000, primarily residing on Nuku Hiva. Despite their beauty and cultural significance, the Marquesas remain relatively unexplored by tourists. In 2022, French Polynesia, which includes popular destinations like Bora Bora and Tahiti, welcomed around 220,000 foreign visitors, but only 10,995 of those ventured to the Marquesas in 2023, accounting for less than 2% of total travelers to Tahiti. The islands attract a diverse range of visitors, with the United States being the second-largest source of tourists, followed by China, Canada, Germany, and the UK. The Aranui 5, a dual-purpose vessel, plays a crucial role in connecting the islands to the outside world, offering 12-day cruises from Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. Tahiti Tourism CEO Jean-Marc Mocellin emphasized that the UNESCO designation presents a unique opportunity to highlight the exceptional cultural and environmental heritage of the Marquesas, reinforcing the islands' status as an inclusive and sustainable tourism destination. The rich heritage of the Marquesas includes traditional wood carving, dance, and music. Notably, the islands are the final resting place of renowned painter Paul Gauguin and Belgian singer Jacques Brel, both of whom are buried in a small cemetery on Hiva Oa, further enhancing the cultural allure of this newly recognized World Heritage site.