A group of Australian wholesalers have joined their counterparts from around the world to explore one of our closest neighbours.
New Caledonia Tourism and the national carrier Aircalin hosted the group as part of Rendez-Vous Workshop 2023.
In addition to the B2B event, the attendees enjoyed famil activities giving them the opportunity to personally experience this little piece of France.
The workshop took place on the island of Lifou, which is the largest of the Loyalty Islands and is mostly known for its white beaches, cliffs and the first island in the area to produce vanilla.
During the day, approximately 35 wholesalers from the five different markets took part in speed dating-style meetings with around 45 local industry partners.
The group were treated to a lunch true to the Melanesian mix of culinary offerings of the destination followed by aperitifs and a show with a traditional Kanak dance performance.
The rest of the week included site visits to a range of resorts and hotels in the destinations, including the soon-to-be-opened Intercontinental Lifou Wadra Bay Resort, Paradis d’Ouvea hotel, Chateau Royal Hotel and Hilton Noumea.
New Caledonia has welcomed a record number of tourists from Australia this year and is on track to beat its pre-pandemic numbers for the year 2023.
Australian travellers increased by 16.5% compared to 2019 (January – September) and Australia is the second largest market after Metropolitan France.
In 2019, 25,907 Australians travelled to New Caledonia by air whereas there have been 21,670 travellers so far in 2023.
“Australians continue to show that despite the recent difficult years, nothing is stopping them from travelling,” said Rebecca Marchal, Account Director for New Caledonia Tourisme Australia.
“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.”
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