On May 14, the New Caledonia Tourism Bureau held a briefing for media representatives to promote local tourism highlights.
At the beginning of the briefing, Ms. Maho Saito, Director of the Japan Bureau, informed the audience that protests over the proposed constitutional amendment had turned into riots from the 13th to the 14th, and that the local airport was closed. The situation in the capital city of Noumea is as usual, and tourist facilities are operating as usual. The Tourism Bureau is monitoring the situation and is providing support for tourists staying in the city and transporting them to the main island. We hope for the earliest possible normalization of the situation.
A video message from Julie Laronde, Director General, who was unable to make the trip to Japan, followed. She explained that the travel market is changing, and the trend in New Caledonia is that the number of seniors is increasing year by year, including segments such as couples in their 50s, mothers and daughters, and three generations.
He added, “Travelers are diversifying the way they enjoy their destinations. Blue lagoons and white sand beaches are representative of New Caledonia. The red earth, deep green forests, and orange sunsets, New Caledonia has a color palette of nature that goes beyond the sea. When you stay in New Caledonia, I hope you will participate in local events that combine the essence of French and Kanak culture, interact with the locals, and enjoy meals at restaurants,” he appealed.
Mr. Saito then introduced the positioning of the Japanese market and recommended attractions for visitors from Japan.
About 130,000 tourists visited New Caledonia in 2019, the year before the new Corona, and Japan had 23,000 visitors (17%), the second highest after France and Australia. The number of Japanese visitors recovered to 32.8% of the 2019 level for the full year 2023, and to around 50% in May and November, and is expected to recover further this year.
A direct flight from Japan by Aircalin takes 8 hours and 30 minutes. The time difference from Japan is only 2 hours, and the climate is mild enough to be described as “an island of everlasting spring,” with less annual precipitation than other beach destinations, making it an easy place to live. The population density is only 14 people/km2, about 1/24th that of Japan, making it an attractive place to spend a relaxing time in your own private space.
The capital city of Noumea, with its blend of French and Melanesian cultures, is attractive, but if you look at the countryside and the islands, you will find even more of New Caledonia’s unique charm, he said.
The Tourism Bureau does not set age targets, but rather plans to promote each of the diversifying travel purposes and styles, and will differentiate itself from other beach destinations by proposing various approaches, such as honeymoons, weddings, gastronomy, and outdoor activities, in addition to seniors, who are expected to increase in number in the future. The company intends to differentiate itself from other beach destinations, aiming to increase local tourism consumption, lengthen the length of stay, and increase the number of visitors.
The Tourism Bureau will be holding the “Nattekute! Ichi de! New Calais! Campaign,” a campaign offering a discount coupon worth 5,000 CFP (approximately 6,000 yen) that can be used for local optional tours, has been extended until July 31.
Aircalin Sales Manager Rishi Ogawa then took the stage to introduce the current flight schedule, seat configuration, and in-flight services. He also introduced a service that allows passengers to check in golf bags, diving equipment, and other sports equipment weighing up to 23 kg free of charge upon advance request, as well as a service that allows economy class passengers to enjoy six different a la carte menus instead of the regular in-flight meals with advance reservation and payment of an additional fee. The company also offered a free service for passengers who were interested in flying with airlines.
Asuka Sakakibara, PR Manager, emphasized the contrast of the pristine wilderness that Laronde and Saito emphasized, as well as the variety of activities that can be enjoyed, from light to hardcore.
He also mentioned that New Caledonia was the setting for the movie “The Island Closest to Heaven,” starring Tomoyo Harada, and said, “When you visit the island, you realize that it is the island closest to heaven, not just the image from the movie. I want people to relax and spend time doing nothing. It is also a great place for digital detox.
Lastly, special guests were Shinsuke Isomura, who has participated in local ultra-trails, and Yuhki Kawauchi, who has been appointed as the New Caledonia International Marathon Ambassador.
Mr. Isomura said, “Although the event takes the form of a timed race, only the top few competitors are competitive. It is not easy to reach the goal, but it is an event where everyone aims to reach the goal together, and you can get to know the organizers. It is more beautiful when you move your body and enter the beautiful nature by yourself,” he recalled.
Mr. Kawauchi recalls that, after performing well in domestic competitions as a university student, he was sent to the 2008 New Caledonia International Marathon, where he discovered the appeal of overseas races, which, unlike competition-oriented Japanese events, are like loose but fun festivals.
He and his wife, Yuko, are ambassadors for the convention, and he confessed that they actually met for the first time at that time. They met on an island that is the closest to heaven. It was a life-changing experience,” he said with a smile. It was a life-changing experience,” he said with a smile.
According to Mr. Kawauchi, while it is expected to be extremely hot in Japan at the end of August when the event is held, New Caledonia is cooler in the southern hemisphere, making it easier to run in terms of temperature, and there are awards for different age groups, making it attractive for the whole family to enjoy.
Incidentally, the self-proclaimed travel enthusiast studied when he was not playing in the Corona Disaster and obtained certification as a domestic travel business administrator. He joked, “A marathon tour for couples might be an option. （There are precedents (such as his own),” he joked, sharing his ideas from the perspective of a professional traveler and runner.
© Source travel watch
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