The Board of Directors of Tahiti Tourisme has appointed Vaihere Lissant as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for The Islands of Tahiti. Her appointment follows a selection process led by Bud Gilroy, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Moetai Brotherson, President of French Polynesia and Minister of Tourism.
Following the announcement of Jean-Marc Mocellin’s departure, Tahiti Tourisme launched a local and international recruitment process. A significant number of applications were received, and Michael Page, the recruitment agency engaged for the search, shortlisted three candidates. These finalists were then interviewed by the outgoing CEO, the Chairman of the Board, and the President of French Polynesia.
After a thorough evaluation, Vaihere Lissant was unanimously selected and presented to the Board for final approval. Well-respected within Tahiti Tourisme and the broader tourism industry, she currently serves as the organisation’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).
Born in The Islands of Tahiti, Vaihere Lissant is a graduate of a leading business school and began her career in marketing consultancy in Paris. Upon returning to The Islands of Tahiti in 2010, she continued her career in marketing within the telecommunications sector.
Since joining Tahiti Tourisme in 2014, she has held key leadership roles, culminating in her position as CMO for the past decade. Her responsibilities have included destination branding, multi-market communication strategies, and the management of marketing, communication, and web marketing services, both locally and internationally.
She also oversaw the launch of Tahiti Tourisme’s 18 B2C websites and digital tools, ensuring the organisation’s global reach and efficiency. More recently, as part of French Polynesia’s 2030 Sustainable Tourism Plan, she has collaborated closely with the CEO and local tourism authorities to drive long-term strategic initiatives.
Outgoing CEO Jean-Marc Mocellin expressed his confidence in the appointment, stating:
“Vaihere Lissant’s nomination was a natural choice. It is a well-earned internal promotion for a recognised professional who has worked alongside me and demonstrated strong leadership throughout my tenure. She will ensure continuity and stability in the implementation of our established strategy.”
Bud Gilroy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, added:
“We are proud to appoint a leader who is not only deeply familiar with Tahiti Tourisme but also a native of our islands. Over the years, Vaihere has proven her ability to lead major projects and drive success for our DMO.”
Vaihere Lissant will officially assume the role of CEO on May 15, 2025. Until then, the organisation will continue to be led by Jean-Marc Mocellin to ensure a smooth transition.
