Pacific Beachcomber's Richard Bailey Receives "Global First Award" At HotelsWorld Inaugural First Awards Ceremony

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Jul 25, 2013, 04:46 ET

TAHITI, French Polynesia, July 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Beachcomber, S.C., with more than 25 years of experience in the French Polynesia tourism market, and as the country's largest luxury hotel and cruise operator, is pleased to announce that its President and CEO, Richard Bailey, received the "Global First Award," in the inaugural HotelsWorld First Awards, the leading event for industry CEOs and other senior executives in the Australia and New Zealand region, held in Sydney, Australia, on July 24, 2013.

The HotelsWorld First Awards were created to honor industry leaders with the qualities of first – those who have achieved something special and unique, something that has been an unprecedented success by being genuine first in the world of guest accommodation.

When presenting Bailey with the "Global First Award," David Gibson, Chairman of Sunotel Corporation, remarked, "He is the CEO, creative force and part owner of a company that because of where it is, what it owns, what technology it has created, and what it is presently developing, is like no other industry participant you are likely to have encountered. In fact, it is a chain of firsts that qualifies our winner for today's honor, several times over. For all of this, he has been honored with a string of awards in French Polynesia, France, and the U.S., and today we are delighted to add to the recognition that is deserved by man who has truly been a global first in the world of hotels and other guest accommodation."

Bailey received the "Global First Award" for his contributions and his pioneering efforts in establishing and developing hospitality and tourism in the French Polynesia market, notably with luxury small-ship cruise ships, three Maitai hotels, and four InterContinental resorts, including the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, where he pioneered the use of seawater air conditioning (SWAC) technology which uses deep seawater for all the resort's cooling requirements. SWAC is a clean, quiet, maintenance-free and fully renewable non-fossil source of environmentally friendly energy that results in electricity savings of more than 90 percent for the resort in comparison to conventional cooling methods.

"I am honored to receive this special honor," said Bailey. "At each of our properties and on our cruise ships, we strive to deliver the most luxurious, memorable, and enriching experience to our guests. Sustainable development and tourism is a cornerstone of our business model and we attach great importance to protecting the environment along with preserving local traditions and culture."

In 2010, Bailey received the prestigious "Leader in Luxury" award from Luxury Travel Advisor and Travel Agent magazine for demonstrating superior leadership in four categories—Hotel, Cruise, Tour and Travel Professional—as well as excellence and innovation in luxury travel. Bailey is also a founding member of Tetiaroa Society (www.tetiaroasociety.org) a nonprofit cultural and scientific organization dedicated to the global understanding and management of tropical island socio-ecosystems which is focused on conservation, education, and research and Te Mana O Te Moana (the Spirit of the Ocean), (www.temanaotemoana.org), a Tahiti-based nonprofit devoted to the protection of marine wildlife, particularly the green sea turtle. Te Mana O Te Moana works closely with local authorities on a variety of youth-oriented educational and public outreach programs with some programs conducted at the properties.

Next up for Bailey and Pacific Beachcomber is The Brando, a luxury eco-resort featuring 35 private villas, on the late Marlon Brando's private island of Tetiaroa, 30 miles northeast of Tahiti (www.thebrando.com). Private residences will also be offered. The project is being constructed to the most exacting requirements of environmental design with the goal of being fully self-sustaining with renewable sources of non-fossil energy. The company is also building an eco-station dedicated to scientific research about the biodiversity of Tetiaroa and French Polynesia operated by Tetiaroa Society. For its environmental efforts, The Brando has already received the HEC Paris & 1.618 Sustainable Luxury Award which rewards a luxury brand for its commitment and innovation towards sustainable development along with silver and bronze SEP Turtle Awards for encouraging responsible waste management.

For additional information on Pacific Beachcomber, visit www.pacificbeachcomber.com.

About Pacific Beachcomber
With more than 25 years of experience in the French Polynesian tourism market, 643 hotel rooms and 211 cabins, Pacific Beachcomber, S.C. is the country's largest luxury hotel and cruise operator. In addition to the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin (www.pgcruises.com) luxury cruise vessel with voyages in Tahiti, French Polynesia, the South Pacific, and Southeast Asia; the 90-guest m/v Tere Moana with voyages to Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America; Pacific Beachcomber operates seven award-winning hotels (www.tahitiresorts.intercontinental.com): InterContinental Tahiti Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa, the Maitai Bora Bora, the Maitai Rangiroa, and the Maitai Lapita Village Huahine (www.hotelmaitai.com).