On August 1, the New Caledonia Tourism Bureau held a seminar in Tokyo for media representatives to introduce the attractions of travel to New Caledonia.
Mr. Mickaël Forrest, President of the New Caledonia Tourism Board, opened the event. He said, “Tourism is one of the main economic sectors of New Caledonia. The relationship between New Caledonia and Japan is very important and strategically positioned, with the opening of the Japanese Consulate in Noumea (the capital) in January 2023. The history of New Caledonia is written with more than 130 years of relations with Japan, and even today, descendants of Japanese miners live in the most remote tribes and villages. Even during the pandemic crisis, Aircalin has maintained air routes connecting New Caledonia with France and the rest of the world through flights via Japan,” he said, stressing the importance of Japanese tourists, who are second only to those from France and Australia in the number of visitors.
Julie Lalonde, General Director of the New Caledonia Tourism Board, who took the podium next, thanked Aircalin’s Japan office for maintaining traffic between the two countries with the Corona Disaster and paving the way for the resumption of tourism, and added, “Currently, Japanese demand for international travel is still low, but we are confident that Japanese people will resume traveling to New Caledonia this year. I am convinced that Japanese travel to New Caledonia will resume this year. New Caledonia, “the closest island to heaven”, has everything to offer its visitors with its spectacular landscapes and inspiring experiences,” he added, hoping that the number of visitors will increase again.
Ms. Maho Saito, Director of the Japan Branch of the New Caledonia Tourism Bureau, introduced the specific attractions of a trip to New Caledonia.
New Caledonia, consisting of islands in the South Pacific, is located only about 8.5 hours by direct flight from Narita Airport, and the time difference from Japan is only 2 hours, so you can spend a comfortable time without suffering from jet lag. As a French overseas territory, New Caledonia is sometimes called “the closest France to Japan,” and the mix of French, indigenous, and Asian immigrant cultures is one of its attractions.
The total area is 18,575 km2, about the same as Shikoku Island, and approximately 280,000 people live there, about the same as Sumida Ward and Tokushima City in Tokyo. The low population density makes the beaches “attractive because they are unpopulated” (Saito).
The climate is generally mild, with “November through April being the hot and humid months, and May through October being cool and very pleasant. The best time to visit is from September to December, when the overall climate is stable,” Saito said.
The lush nature, including the lagoon, which is a World Heritage site, and the variety of activities that take advantage of it, such as pirogue cruising and hiking, are its greatest attractions, and visitors can also enjoy regional French cuisine, local food made from seafood, and traditional Kanak cuisine of the indigenous Kanak people.
According to Saito, the best way to experience these attractions to the fullest is to visit the outlying islands of Ildepan, Uvea, Lifou, and Maré. Each of these islands can be reached by domestic flights in 30 to 40 minutes. For those who find it difficult to travel to the outlying islands, he recommends Bourail and Rivière Bleu State Park, located on the west coast of the main island.
The Tourism Bureau is targeting middle-aged and senior citizens who want to spend their time leisurely, people in their 40s and 50s who want to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, and women in their 30s and 40s who want to enjoy women’s travel in peace and security.
From August 1, JAL Mileage Bank members can earn double miles on the Narita – Noumea route.
© Source travel watch
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