Vendée

Before venturing into tourism, Jessica Sorin ran a coworking café in Nantes.

That was before the Covid period.

She used the confinement to join friends in Tahiti. This stay, initially planned for three months, would ultimately last six months.

« I fell in love with the green of Polynesia, she recalls. We often show the blue of the lagoon and the stilt houses, but I discovered a Polynesia that was much more authentic, cultural, and natural. »

Fortified by this experience, she answered a call for proposals from a Polynesian incubator, and set off again a few months later with a container filled with outdoor gear: roof tents, paddles, hiking equipment…

« The initial idea was to offer equipment rental and immersive experiences with locals. Very quickly, I received requests to organize stays, recounts Jessica Sorin. On site, I quickly completed the steps to become a travel agent. »



For several years, the entrepreneur commuted between France and Tahiti, while maintaining her Nantes-based activity, which she has since sold.

« I didn’t know how receptive operators or TOs worked,» she admits. « I learned as I went and discovered that I was a receptive operator. »

Nevertheless, she had already dipped a toe in travel, for instance as Guest Relations Manager aboard Ponant ships.

Today, the Manaventura Tahiti receptive operates mainly in B2C, which accounts for about 95% of its activity.

In 2025, Manaventura handled around 350 files, representing between 700 and 1,000 travelers, with an average basket of 15,000 euros. The entrepreneur claims an annual growth rate close to 200% over the past three years.

Against the current, Jessica Sorin has just opened a physical travel agency named Maison Manaventura in La Tranche-sur-Mer, in Vendée.

She has imagined a concept store inspired by seaside resorts and the lifestyle universe.

« Our agency looks more like a boutique of inspiration », she explains.

Visitors will find both Polynesian products and travel journals, scented candles or travel accessories.

La Tranche-sur-Mer was chosen for strategic reasons. The director is banking on a clientele with second homes and on the resort’s strong summer attendance.

The idea directly stems from her Ponant experience. « On board the ships, sales of future cruises worked very well because customers were already in travel mode. I recognize that logic in seaside resorts: people are relaxed, available, already in a vacation mindset », explains Jessica Sorin.

If Polynesia remains her historical area of expertise, the offering is gradually expanding to other destinations. « The first requests came in for Sri Lanka, the Seychelles, Morocco or Italy.

Today, we surround ourselves with receptive operators. We have also just partnered with Catlante to promote a product entirely in our DNA, » underlines Jessica Sorin.

If the company claims an outdoor and immersive positioning, Jessica Sorin prefers to emphasize an ethos built on meeting and sharing: « We want to encourage intergenerational travel, with family or friends. Travel must create connections. »

The agency prioritizes local experiences and exchanges with residents, whatever the destination. « Even in Canada, I want there to be a real local encounter », she insists.

This philosophy also guides how trips are designed. The teams take the time to talk with clients to understand their desires and motivations.

« We do not build a simple travel checklist. Behind every project, there is a personal story, a particular wish. »

The group now counts 22 employees, spread between Tahiti, France and several international destinations.

The company operates with a mix of employees and freelancers.

« I love this flexibility, explains Jessica Sorin. Some of our consultants live in Bali, in Greece or in Polynesia. The more they travel, the better they understand our vision. »

To drive the development of Maison Manaventura, Jessica Sorin also relies on Chloé Le Berre Lizée. After two years of collaboration as a freelancer, she takes the helm of the Vendée agency.

« She has production experience; she has worked with Copines de Voyage and Chilowé. She will develop destinations and partnerships, » explains Jessica Sorin.

After several years devoted to structuring the B2C model, the company now aims to accelerate in the B2B segment.

A stand is already reserved for IFTM Top Resa 2026 and a new B2B brand is in development, with several names currently under consideration.

The ultimate objective? « to reach a balance of 60% B2C and 40% B2B », explains Jessica Sorin.

Two hires are also planned this year: one in Polynesia and one in France.