Former Fiji Hotelier Beats Six others for Top Tahiti Job
Aformer Fiji hotelier has been appointed chief executive officer of the Destination Marketing Organisation for Tahiti.
Jean-Marc Mocellin worked in Fiji for four years, first as an Executive Assistant Manager of Fiji’s biggest resort at that time.
Shangri-la’s Fijian resort - with 436 bedrooms and 650 staff.
He then moved to General Manager of the Shangri-la Mocambo in Nadi.
His appointment on January 13, 2020, as CEO of Tahiti Toursime followed a director meeting.
His nomination was suggested by Maïlee Faugerat, chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Tahiti Tourisme, and the Minister of Tourism Nicole Bouteau.
Following the departure of former CEO, Paul Sloan in October last year, a local and international call for applications was launched by Tahiti Tourisme.
Within the large number of submitted applications, the recruitment agency Michael Page hired by the DMO, pre-selected six applicants who were then interviewed by the Minister and the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Tahiti Tourisme at the end of last year. Following these interviews, Mr Jean-Marc Mocellin’s application was retained and presented to the board members of Tahiti Tourisme.
He is well-known in French Polynesia and within the local tourism industry, and is currently the CEO of Nouvelle Calédonie Tourisme, the DMO for New Caledonia
Born in New-Caledonia, Mr Mocellin left after graduating from high school in order to pursue studies at the Hotel Management and Tourism School of Nice from where he graduated with a “BTS” diploma (the only higher national diploma available at that time) by presenting a memorandum on “sustainable development of tourism while respecting the environment.”
He pursued a career in international luxury brand hotel chains which first brought him in
London where he was hired straight afterhis studies by the Sheraton Group.
Trained for two years, he was then sent to Africa, Benin, Nigeria, Gabon and Egypt specializing in opening hotels, while climbing the ladder from one rung to the next.
He then came to Tahiti where he became passionate about Polynesia during 23 years while taking the management of the legendary Beachcomber that he renovated, expanded and converted into an InterContinental Resort Tahiti.N skincare business.
New challenges
The need of new challenge and the call for a professional experience in Asia made him leave Tahiti to lead the InterContinental Hua Hin in Thailand for two years.
End of 2016, the opportunity to take the lead of Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme on his native island while the local tourism sector was expanding, pushed him to accept the proposal of the Caledonian government.
He got involved in destination marketing as the CEO of Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme, where he developed new skills during three years and actively contributed to the elaboration of the tourism strategy development of New Caledonia.
“Polynesian by heart, Jean-Marc Mocellin knows the destination The Islands of Tahiti perfectly and as well as its inbound markets.
“He is passionate about Polynesian culture and very sensitive to sustainable tourism.
“It’s therefore with great satisfaction that we welcome his nomination,” said Nicole Bouteau, Minister of Tourism.
“His knowledge of The Islands of Tahiti and his experience in Asia and in the region will be very useful to the destination.”
Mr Mocellin will take up the position at the beginning of April.
Until then, the interim general management