Nelson Levy, 58, founder of Air Tahiti Nui,
died June 4 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Papeete,
Tahiti.
Described as one of
French Polynesia's tourism pioneers, Levy took over management of
the Tahiti Tourism Promotion Office in early 1992. He revamped that
office, converting it into the operation known today as Tahiti
Tourisme. The Papeete-based tourism office promotes the destination
worldwide.
Levy founded Air
Tahiti Nui in 1996 and left Tahiti Tourisme in 1998, the year the
airline launched service to Los Angeles, to become its CEO. The
carrier, headquartered in Papeete, now flies nonstop to Los Angeles
daily and nonstop to New York's Kennedy Airport three times a week.
It also flies to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and
France.
On June 1, Levy
launched his newest venture: EasyTahiti.com, a virtual travel agency
designed to make it easy to book travel to Tahiti.
He had celebrated
by hosting a barbecue at his home for the EasyTahiti.com staff a
few hours before his heart attack.
Nick Panza, Air
Tahiti Nui's vice president, the Americas, said Levy "will be
deeply missed. He was an industry leader, visionary and innovator,
persevering against many odds to found Air Tahiti Nui and make
Tahiti the tourism destination it is today."
Gaston Tong Sang,
the French Polynesia president, said, "It would be difficult to
summarize in a few words the overall career and life of such a man
appreciated by everyone for his kindness, attentiveness, his
devotion and his courage."
Levy is survived by
his wife, Vaea, and two daughters, Vaiarava and Poerava.
To
contact the reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to Nadine
Godwin at [email protected].