New Caledonia Tourism and Aircalin welcomed Aussie wholesalers to the South Pacific nation for its annual Rendez-Vous Workshop to facilitate meet-and-greets with local industry partners and enjoy the destination during the week-long trip in an island paradise.
The Australian contingent was part of a wider group of 35 wholesalers from New Zealand, Singapore, Japan and France for the Rendez-Vous Workshop 2023 held on the island of Lifou.
In addition to the B2B event, attendees were treated to famil activities in the week leading up to the workshop, offering the opportunity to experience the French slice of paradise.
The week also featured hotel and resort site visits, including the soon-to-be-opened Intercontinental Lifou Wadra Bay Resort, Paradis d’Ouvea hotel, Chateau Royal Hotel and Hilton Noumea.
Sydney- and Brisbane-based wholesalers stayed at Le Meridien Noumea Resort & Spa, Sheraton Deva Resort and Oasis de Kiamu, savouring meals at Le Roof overwater bungalow restaurant and L’Entrecote, a revolving restaurant with a panoramic view of Noumea.
The group also explored Noumea and its history on a city tour and spent a day in the lagoon during a snorkelling tour in Poé, Bourail.
New Cal welcomes record numbers of Aussies
The showcase event caps off an incredible year with New Caledonia welcoming a record number of Australian tourists and on track to beat its pre-pandemic visitor levels in 2023.
Aussie travellers increased by 16.5 per cent from January to September 2023 compared to 2019 levels with Australia now the nation’s second-largest market after France.
In 2019, 25,907 Australians travelled to the island nation by air while in 2023, 21,670 Aussie visitors have arrived to date.
New Caledonia Tourism, which launched a close-to-home campaign targeted at ANZ travellers this year, attributes the increase to Australian travel trade and local partner support.
NCT Australia Account Director Rebecca Marchal said: “Australians continue to show that despite the recent difficult years, nothing is stopping them from travelling.”
“By inviting our valued partners in Australia and showcasing this incredible destination, they can create tailored itineraries for their clients to find out what makes this destination such a hotspot for travellers and why it should be on everyone’s travel list for 2024.”
Read our firsthand review of a family-friendly holiday in Noumea here.
For more info, head to newcaledonia.travel/au
