Australia’s closest Pacific neighbour, New Caledonia has welcomed back Australian travel trade visitors as part of the return of the New Caledonia Rendez-Vous Workshop 2022.
New Caledonia Tourism invited around 30 wholesalers from key markets including Australia to the event, which made its post-Covid comeback late last week in Noumea.
Hosted by the tourism office and national carrier Aircalin, Australian wholesalers took part in “speed-date” meetings with around 40 local suppliers at overwater property DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea îlot Maître Resort.
Along with representatives from New Zealand, Singapore, Japan and France, Aussie wholesalers also took part in a famil leading up to the b2b workshop.
The famil included an overnight stay at the Sheraton Deva Spa and Golf Resort in the West Coast region of Bourail, hiking in the Great South national parks, and two days on the islands of Lifou and Isle of Pines. Guests were also treated to a day exploring capital Noumea.
“With the uncertainty of the past few years, the need for customised and tailored trips is more important than ever to Australian travellers. That is why we’re so excited to have wholesalers visiting New Caledonia and experience all that is so amazing with Australia’s closest neighbour and to communicate this to their customer base,” New Caledonia Tourisme Australia Account Director Rebecca Marchal said.
“We’re thrilled to finally re-start this key event for the travel industry and look forward to extending the invitation to the wider travel industry to further highlight why New Caledonia is a destination for Aussies to put on their bucket lists for 2023.”
New Cal fully open
The removal of the last of New Caledonia’s entry restrictions in August prompted authorities to invite travel professionals back to the country.
Known for its mix of Melanesian and French culture, and home to the world’s largest lagoon, New Caledonia can be reached by plane in less than three hours from Sydney and two hours from Brisbane.
For more information on New Caledonia, visit newcaledonia.travel/au
