New image for the “new” New Caledonia and a new agents programme

The sell out New Caledonian Roadshow hit Sydney last night, before moving on to other locations in Australia this week, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast, both also sell out locations.

Diane Moynahan, Manager Australia for this stunning destination, only 2.5hrs flying time from Sydney, said that in the past New Caledonia had always been sold in competition to other Pacific destinations, often as a discount destination, but all that was now changing, adding “We have taken a step back and looked at what New Caledonia has to offer Australians and realised that we have unique advantages, not least of all our proximity, but also fabulous food and accommodation, which appealed greatly to Aussies, and that we did not have to be discounting to compete”.  “We are not a cheap destination, but neither are we expensive with the costs of all those things people buy on holiday, no more expensive than they would find in any Australian tourist area.”  “My tip is don’t buy Aussie products in New Caledonia, you can buy those at home, so buy the local or French products when you are in New Caledonia and experience great prices and vive la difference!

Diane added, “We are also the one destination in the Pacific that travellers really should go to for food, because we bring to the Pacific all the tremendous cuisine travellers have become used to eating in France and in fact we are the closest piece of France to Australia, offering a unique Pacific experience and at much lower cost than going to France”.

Patrick Moisan, Directeur General of Tourisme Nouvelle-Caledonie said, “While Japan is our biggest market, the majority being Honeymooners and Young Office Ladies and we are looking at more seniors and families to come and enjoy New Caledonia, Australia is extremely important to us and this is reflected in the excellent team we have established in Australia, led by Diane and also in our bringing the New Caledonia trade to Australia for this series.”

Patrick also said that over 20,000 Australians visited New Caledonia last year and we are tracking towards 30,000 this year, working closely with all our partner hotels and operators, some of which are here this evening, including Province Nord, Loyalty Islands, Le Meridien, Ramada, NC Hotel Group, Le Lagon, Arc en Ciel, Alpha and Mary D Cruises and in particular to ensure adequate and efficient air lift, our carrier partners Air Calin, also here this evening and of course, Qantas.

He said that as a destination, we have not been enough in the face of Aussies, but we intend to be so from now on, with in the past having relied on wholesalers and while they are critical, we are now doing much more and our Specialist Agents Programme being launched tonight is a key factor in our future growth”.

Joining the New Caledonia Agents Programme free and agents can do so at http://www.newcaledonia.com.au/trade/ and also have the chance to win a Peugeot 206CC.

A high point of the evening was when Harvey World Travel Balmain agent Kerry Bates, picured third from left with prize sponsors Julie Ingles of NC Hotels, Wayne Borland of Air Calin and Sandrine Cadars from Arc en Ciel New Caledonia’s leading ground operator Voyage, won the amazing prize of a New Caledonia trip not only for herself but also for five of her friends. 

Report by Le Mole!