The French Government Gold Medal of Tourism was awarded to Guy Champoux, former director of Canadian operations for Air Tahiti Nui and current director of South Pacific Tourism. The presentation ceremony was held at the Consulate General of France in Vancouver, under the auspices of Consul General Jean-Christophe Fleury. Champoux, pictured with Armelle Tardy-Joubert, manager at Atout France in Canada, has staunchly promoted tourism to France and French Polynesia. His dedication was first rewarded in 2005, with the Silver Medal of Tourism. Champoux’s passion for France extends beyond tourism. In 2007, he looked to the arts and brought Les Grands Ballets de Tahiti to Montreal and Quebec City. His collaboration with Canadian French language television network TVA to promote French Polynesia was another resounding success.