The ailing French Polynesian cruise ship tourism sector has received a boost with the Pacific Beachcomber hotel group buying the archipelago's biggest ship, the Paul Gauguin.
The hotel chain, which runs four properties in the three main islands, has taken over the vessel at undisclosed cost.
The ship is linked to package holidays for mainly American tourists, providing Air Tahiti Nui with its single biggest customer as the vessel caters for 12,000 passengers a year.
