AGP Executive Report

Tourism Demand: Hawaii’s August 2026 visitor economy cooled: spending fell 9.7% year-on-year to $1.59B and arrivals dropped 5.6% to 772,039, though average daily spend rose 7.4% to $272. Luxury Hospitality Investment: IHG will rebrand InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa as Regent Bora Bora, with the first Regent property in French Polynesia; the resort closes for renovations June 1 and is set to reopen in late 2027. Ocean Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25M in new grants for Pacific ocean conservation across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting its Pacific total to $63.3M under a $100M pledge aimed at protecting 30% of waters by 2030. Security & Trade Risks: A new report highlights French Polynesia’s growing role in international drug trafficking routes, with cocaine and methamphetamine transiting toward Australia and New Zealand while a local meth market expands. Climate & Maritime Rights: Pacific leaders pushed climate urgency at the UN General Assembly, while a UN declaration seeks to keep maritime boundaries legally stable as sea levels rise. Regional Business & Travel: Ponant Explorations is promoting new French Polynesia access for Australians via fresh air links and new ship itineraries, while cruise lines expand long-haul booking calendars including Azamara’s 2029 World Cruise.

Tourism Watch: August 2026 visitor spending in Hawaii fell to $1.59bn (-9.7%) as arrivals dropped to 772,039 (-5.6%) and average length of stay shortened to 7.55 days, even as daily spend rose to $272 (+7.4%). Blue Economy & Conservation: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect 625,000+ sq miles of Pacific ocean across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to manage waters sustainably and protect at least 30% by 2030. Luxury Hospitality Investment: IHG will convert InterContinental Bora Bora into Regent Bora Bora, the first Regent in French Polynesia, with reopening expected in late 2027 after a June renovation closure. Security & Trade Risks: A new report says French Polynesia is increasingly used as a transit hub for cocaine and meth en route to Australia and New Zealand, while local meth markets are also growing. Climate Finance & Legal Stakes: Pacific leaders urged faster climate finance at the UN, and the UN General Assembly adopted a declaration to keep maritime boundaries legally stable as sea levels rise. Regional Business Links: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner” stream, with cooperation flagged in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building.

Blue Economy Funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants to protect 625,000+ sq miles of Pacific ocean across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, pushing total awards to $63.3m under its “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity” push to manage waters sustainably and protect 30% by 2030. Luxury Tourism & Investment: IHG will rebrand InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa as Regent Bora Bora, the first Regent in French Polynesia, after renovations (closed June 1) with a late-2027 reopening and 84 overwater villas. Drug Trafficking Risk: A new report says French Polynesia is increasingly used as a transit hub for cocaine and meth heading to Australia and New Zealand, while a local meth market is also growing—raising pressure on border security and policing. Local Debate on Resources: Cook Islands youth leaders are weighing the economic promise and risks of deep-sea mining (polymetallic nodules in the EEZ), with the core question: will it deliver a durable future without harming culture and the environment? Pacific Climate Finance: Pacific leaders at the UN General Assembly warned that sea-level rise is already a present reality and urged bigger, faster climate finance and adaptation support.

Wealth Inequality Snapshot: A new global analysis finds that in 27 countries, the richest 0.1% hold more wealth than the bottom 80% combined, with the biggest gaps in Russia and South Africa—an inequality backdrop that matters for Pacific economies planning for resilience and inclusive growth. Drug Trafficking Pressure on French Polynesia: A reporting trip highlights how French Polynesia is increasingly used as a transit hub for cocaine and meth heading toward Australia and New Zealand, while a locally embedded meth market grows—raising urgent business and public-safety stakes for the territory. Luxury Tourism Deal in Bora Bora: IHG and Pacific Beachcomber will convert InterContinental Bora Bora into the first Regent property in French Polynesia, with reopening expected in late 2027—another signal of continued high-end investment in the local hospitality sector. Regional Climate & Maritime Rights: At the UN General Assembly, Pacific leaders pushed for stronger climate finance and warned that sea-level rise is already reshaping survival and development, while a UN declaration aims to protect legally established maritime boundaries despite coastline loss. Pacific Food Security Push: Hawai‘i’s breadfruit summit spotlights supply-chain bottlenecks and the broader push to expand ʻulu cultivation and consumption across the Pacific—relevant for local agriculture and nutrition strategies. Sustainability Innovation Pipeline: The Zayed Sustainability Prize named 2027 finalists after a record submission surge, underscoring the growing competition for scalable solutions in health, food, energy, water and climate action.

Tourism & Investment: IHG Hotels & Resorts will rebrand Bora Bora’s InterContinental Resort & Thalasso Spa as Regent Bora Bora, marking the first Regent property in French Polynesia; the resort closed for renovations on June 1 and is set to reopen in late 2027, with 84 overwater villas and a luxury upgrade while keeping a Polynesian feel. Security & Trade: A new reporting trip highlights how French Polynesia is increasingly used in international drug trafficking routes, with French state forces handling policing and border security as cocaine and methamphetamine transit toward Australia and New Zealand, alongside a growing local meth market. Food Systems & Resilience: Breadfruit advocates from across the Pacific met in Hawai‘i to tackle supply-chain bottlenecks and boost demand for ‘ulu, framing the crop as a lever for healthier diets, food security, and climate resilience. Climate & Maritime Rights: Pacific leaders pushed climate urgency at the UN General Assembly, while a UN declaration aims to keep maritime boundaries legally stable as sea levels rise. Regional Business Context: Pacific media leaders are calling for stronger journalism networks and funding models, including new training and AI-focused work, as misinformation pressures grow.

Hospitality Investment: IHG is converting InterContinental Bora Bora into Regent Bora Bora, marking the first Regent property in French Polynesia; the resort closed for renovations on June 1 and is set to reopen in late 2027, with 84 overwater villas and Regent-branded guest services. Sustainability & Innovation: The Zayed Sustainability Prize has unveiled its 2027 finalists after a record 10,233 submissions from 177 countries, spotlighting scalable solutions across health, food, energy, water and climate action. Tourism Demand & Access: Ponant Explorations is pushing French Polynesia to more travelers with new Discovery Sessions in Australia and New Zealand, plus renewed focus on multi-archipelago itineraries using its Paul Gauguin and Le Jacques Cartier. Climate Risk & Maritime Rights: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to press for urgent climate finance as sea-level rise threatens food, water and cyclone risks, while the UN adopted a declaration aimed at keeping maritime boundaries legally stable for small island states. Media & Skills: Fiji’s Rabuka launched a Pacific Centre for Communications and Journalism to strengthen independent, professional regional reporting, including training for digital journalism and responsible AI use.

Climate & Maritime Rights: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to press for faster climate finance and warned that sea-level rise is already reshaping lives, while the UN’s new consensus declaration aims to keep legally established maritime boundaries stable even as coastlines shift. Tourism Access & Luxury Travel: New air links are set to make French Polynesia easier to reach from Australia, and Ponant Explorations is promoting new 2026–2028/2029 itineraries plus “Discovery Sessions” with Captain Mathieu Tsingrilaras across Australia and New Zealand. Cruise Demand for the Pacific: Azamara opened bookings for a 2029 World Cruise that includes calls across French Polynesia and the wider South Pacific, positioning the region as a key route for long-haul travellers. Regional Media Capacity: Fiji’s PM Rabuka launched a Pacific Centre for Communications and Journalism in Savusavu to strengthen training, research, media literacy and responsible AI use—an effort to keep Pacific communities heard. Pacific Business Context: India was placed on the Strategic Partner stream in the Pacific Islands Forum, signaling deeper cooperation on healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Travel Recognition: Lonely Planet named Samoa’s Fa’a and ocean experiences in French Polynesia among its 2027 “Best in Travel” experiences, boosting visibility for the islands’ tourism brand.

Climate & Maritime Rights: The UN General Assembly adopted a declaration aimed at keeping legally established maritime boundaries stable as sea levels rise, protecting small island states’ sovereignty and ocean-based economic rights. Pacific Diplomacy at UNGA: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to press for faster climate finance and less debt burdens for adaptation, warning that El Niño could worsen food and water stress and raise cyclone risks. French Polynesia Business/Finance: Coverage notes that French Polynesia is turning to the Asian Bank for financing, highlighting how external funding sources are becoming more central to local development plans. Media & Governance: Fiji launched a regional centre for communications and journalism at Fiji National University, with training and research focused on digital journalism, media literacy and responsible AI use. Travel & Tourism (Regional Demand): Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 includes French Polynesia experiences in its Top 25 list, while Dunedin and the Waitaki also made the Top 25 destinations—useful signals for regional tourism marketing. Luxury Hospitality (Bora Bora): IHG will convert InterContinental Bora Bora to Regent Bora Bora, set to reopen in late 2027 as the first Regent property in French Polynesia.

UN Maritime Protection: The UN General Assembly adopted a declaration affirming that legally established maritime boundaries can remain stable despite sea-level rise, aiming to protect small island states’ sovereignty and fishing/energy rights as coastlines shift. Pacific Climate Pressure: Pacific leaders used the UNGA to warn that sea-level rise is already a present reality, pushing for larger, faster climate finance and less debt for adaptation as El Niño risks intensify food and water stress and cyclone threats. French Polynesia Business Angle: IHG is set to convert InterContinental Bora Bora into Regent Bora Bora, with the first Regent property in French Polynesia reopening in late 2027—an upgrade that keeps the overwater villa model while adding Regent-style service and “personal havens.” Tourism & Demand Signals: Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 includes French Polynesia’s “Fa’a” experience in its Top 25 Experiences list, reinforcing the region’s pull for culturally grounded, slower travel. Regional Finance/Development: A report on Pacific financing highlights the country turning to the Asian Bank for support, underscoring how external funding is shaping local development priorities. Media & Governance: Fiji launched a Pacific Centre for Communications and Journalism to strengthen regional media networks, training, and digital journalism—relevant for how Pacific economies manage information trust.

Climate & Maritime Rights: At the UN General Assembly, Pacific leaders pushed for climate action and warned that sea-level rise is already reshaping lives, while a new UN declaration backs the legal stability of maritime boundaries even as coastlines shift—critical for small island states’ fisheries and resources. Pacific Finance & Adaptation: Palau’s Surangel Whipps Jr urged bigger, faster climate finance (grants over debt) and highlighted the need to keep the Pacific Resilience Facility accessible to communities, not bogged down in bureaucracy. Regional Business & Connectivity: India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “strategic partner stream,” signaling deeper cooperation on healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building—relevant for regional investment flows including French Polynesia. French Polynesia Tourism & Luxury: Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 includes French Polynesia’s ocean experiences, and IHG’s InterContinental Bora Bora is set to rebrand as Regent Bora Bora in late 2027, with 84 overwater villas on a private motu. Media & Skills: Fiji launched a Pacific Centre for Communications and Journalism to strengthen regional reporting standards, digital journalism and media literacy, including responsible AI use. Cruise Demand Signals: Azamara opened bookings for a 195-night 2029 world cruise that will include calls across French Polynesia, reinforcing long-haul travel interest in the region.

Climate & Maritime Rights: Pacific leaders told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is already reshaping lives, with Tuvalu calling it a “present reality” and urging climate finance as grants at scale; the UN also adopted a declaration aimed at keeping legally established maritime boundaries stable even as coastlines shift. Regional Resilience & Finance: Palau’s president warned Pacific states shouldn’t be pushed into debt for basic adaptation, and called for easier access to climate funds and a better-funded Pacific Resilience Facility. Pacific Media & Business Skills: Fiji’s PM Rabuka launched a Pacific Centre for Communications and Journalism to strengthen independent, professional reporting across the region, including digital journalism and media literacy. Fiji Governance & Public Services: Fiji’s deputy PM said governments must work with media to tackle misinformation while keeping news organisations financially sustainable, as AI accelerates the challenge. Pacific Energy & Investment: ADB and Solomon Islands commissioned the Tulagi solar power plant, while other coverage points to Pacific moves toward cleaner, more reliable energy and high-value tourism growth. French Polynesia Watch: IHG signed a deal to convert InterContinental Bora Bora into Regent Bora Bora in 2027, signaling continued luxury investment in the territory.

Climate & Maritime Rights: Pacific leaders used the UN General Assembly to press for urgent climate action and climate finance, with Tuvalu’s PM calling sea-level rise a “present reality” and urging grants for adaptation and loss-and-damage; the UN also moved to affirm the legal stability of maritime boundaries as coastlines shift, a key issue for Pacific states’ fisheries and ocean resources. El Niño & Resilience Funding: The Pacific Islands Forum chair warned that a strong El Niño could worsen food and water stress and raise cyclone risks, calling for easier access to climate finance and a Pacific Resilience Facility that reaches communities, not just government processes. Media, Trust & AI Skills: Fiji’s deputy PM and PM Sitiveni Rabuka pushed for stronger, sustainable Pacific journalism, including Rabuka’s launch of a regional communications and journalism centre at Fiji National University, with training on digital reporting, media literacy and responsible AI use. Pacific Business & Energy Projects: Fiji Navy and Police are stepping up the high-seas fight against illegal fishing, while the ADB and Solomon Islands are commissioning the Tulagi solar power plant—both tied to economic security and reliable energy. Tourism & Luxury Market Signals: IHG will convert InterContinental Bora Bora into Regent Bora Bora in 2027, and Azamara opened bookings for a 195-night 2029 world cruise that includes French Polynesia calls.

Cruise & Tourism: Azamara has opened bookings for its 2029 World Cruise—195 nights on Azamara Quest from San Diego to Copenhagen (Jan 3–Jul 17, 2029)—with two shorter options (179 and 139 nights) also going on sale from Oct 14, 2026; the full itinerary is a no-repeat-port circumnavigation visiting 126 ports, including calls across French Polynesia, Samoa and Fiji. Hospitality Branding: IHG will convert InterContinental Bora Bora into Regent Bora Bora, with the resort reopening in late 2027 as the first Regent property in French Polynesia. Finance & Development: Coverage flags that French Polynesia is turning to the Asian Bank for financing, as regional leaders push priorities at the UN. Energy & Resilience: Pacific leaders warn El Niño could strain food and water and raise cyclone risks, while an EU-backed OTEC study highlights renewable baseload power potential for island grids. Media & Governance: Fiji’s deputy PM says governments must work with media to tackle misinformation without undermining sustainable journalism, alongside moves to strengthen regional communications and journalism standards. Luxury Travel Demand: Lonely Planet’s 2027 “Best in Travel” spotlights the Tweed region (Australia), reflecting continued global interest in Pacific-adjacent travel experiences.

Renewables & Energy Security: A new EU-backed OTEC feasibility study for the Bahamas is set to assess how deep-ocean thermal power can deliver round-the-clock electricity while also supporting desalination and cooling—an approach aimed at cutting exposure to volatile fuel imports and high tariffs. Climate & Ocean Conservation: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in fresh grants for “Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity,” backing conservation in Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, including marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Pacific Media & Business Resilience: Fiji’s Deputy PM says governments and media must work together to fight misinformation without starving newsrooms of resources, as Fiji relaunches a public service broadcasting grant. Regional Governance & Diplomacy: India has been placed on the “strategic partner stream” in the Pacific Islands Forum, with cooperation flagged across healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. French Polynesia Tourism & Luxury: IHG will convert InterContinental Bora Bora into Regent Bora Bora in 2027, keeping the overwater format while upgrading the guest experience. Pacific Risk Watch: Pacific leaders urged urgent climate action at the UN amid growing El Niño threats to food, water and cyclone risk.

Data Sovereignty & AI: Experts at a NYU Law event urged Indigenous communities to keep control of data tied to land and culture, calling for research tools governed by local commissions and privacy agreements as AI infrastructure expands. Climate Finance & El Niño: Pacific leaders at the UN warned that a strong El Niño could strain food and water and raise cyclone risks, pushing for faster, accessible climate funding without debt traps. Media Sustainability in the Pacific: Fiji’s deputy PM said governments should work with media to fight misinformation while ensuring news outlets can afford technology and stay viable. Regional Diplomacy: India was placed in the “strategic partner stream” of the Pacific Islands Forum, with cooperation flagged in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Tourism & Investment (Bora Bora): IHG and Pacific Beachcomber will convert InterContinental Bora Bora into Regent Bora Bora in late 2027, with all 84 villas overwater—Regent’s first French Polynesia property. Luxury Travel Spotlight: Lonely Planet named NSW’s Tweed “Byron Bay without the crowds,” boosting the region’s tourism brand ahead of 2027. Business Travel Deals: Lindblad Expeditions offered up to $2,000 air credits for select 2027 trips, aiming to offset rising airfare costs.

Luxury Tourism & Investment: IHG and Pacific Beachcomber are converting InterContinental Bora Bora into Regent Bora Bora, the brand’s first French Polynesia property, with 84 all-overwater villas on a private motu reopening in late 2027, featuring “Personal Havens” and dedicated Regent Experience Agents. Cruise & Local Economy: Travel journalist Peter Greenberg’s TV special “Hidden Tahiti” spotlights French Polynesia through va’a canoeing, navigation, reef fishing, pearl diving and two sustainability models—The Brando and Paul Gauguin—positioning the region as more than a stopover. Business Travel Demand: Lindblad Expeditions is offering up to $2,000 air credit on select 2027 trips for bookings made Sept 15–Nov 4, 2026 via Lindblad Air, aiming to offset rising airfare costs. Regional Media Capacity: Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka launched a Pacific Centre for Communications and Journalism at Fiji National University to train and connect regional media, including digital journalism, media literacy and responsible AI use. Sanctions & Diplomacy: EU sanctions on Alisher Usmanov were lifted at France’s request, linked to the pardon of French citizen Martin Ryan in Azerbaijan after a 10-year espionage sentence.