New Caledonia’s Virtual Reality revolution

Cœur de Voh

New Caledonia Tourism has wrapped up a successful round of roadshows that drew 240 agents and industry partners in Sydney, Brisbane Melbourne and Auckland.

The events were given a boost by the tourism body’s introduction of Virtual Reality technology, which allowed agents to explore The Loyalty Islands, Isle of Pines and cosmopolitan Noumea without so much as dusting off the passport.

The roadshows come as New Caledonia Tourism sets its sights on increased visitation to the French special collectivity, which sits 1200km from Australia’s east coast. Speaking to assorted media at Sydney’s Botanic Gardens Restaurant yesterday, New Caledonia Tourism marketing director Jean-Michel Foutrein said that Australia remains a key market for the destination.

“Three years ago we had 15,000 Australian visitors and that figure has grown to 21,000 today. Our goal for 2016/2017 is to lift this to 24,000,” Foutrein said. “We are not mass tourism, however our 10 year target is to have 60,000 Australian visitors, a significant figure for New Caledonia Tourism,” he added.

Another important announcement, due in August according to Foutrein, will centre on a New Caledonia-wide tourism development plan that will outline a strategy for the next decade.

Foutrein stressed the vital importance of growing tourism in New Caledonia, noting that 50% of the population are 30 or under and relied on work in the tourism and hospitality industries. “The best way to develop the islands will be through tourism,” Foutrein said.

New Caledonia Tourism’s account director for Australia and NZ, Caroline Brunel, also discussed the recent launch of a new brand campaign for the destination. “New virtual reality product will be rolled out to consumers in the next week, allowing people to immerse themselves in New Caledonia and to get a feel for what the destination is all about,” Brunel said.

Virtually reality vignettes that Travel Weekly experienced included exploration of Noumea, Bourail, Kanak villages, skydiving, cycling and the Loyalty Islands.

 

 

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

new caledonia

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]