The archipelago of New Caledonia has moved to bring greater cohesion to its cruise tourism sector with the launch of the Club Croisière de Nouvelle‑Calédonie (CCNC). The initiative, unveiled jointly by institutional and private actors in the territory’s tourism ecosystem, is aimed at re-establishing New Caledonia as a competitive cruise destination in the Pacific.
The new association is founded by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Nouvelle‑Calédonie (CCI-NC), Nouvelle‑Calédonie Tourisme (NCT), Nouméa Discovery, the Kenua Agency and the Nouvelle‑Calédonie Pilotes Maritimes (Maritime Pilots).
At the presentation, Christopher Gygès, Member of the Government in charge of the economy and attraction issues of New Caledonia and President of NCT, emphasised the need for unified governance of the cruise chain. He said:
“Creating this club is a good initiative. It is now necessary to ensure that he becomes the sole interlocutor of all the actors involved in this network in order to structure it efficiently.”
A strategic response to a weakened cruise sector
Before the pandemic, New Caledonia’s cruise industry generated up to 7.5 billion CFP francs and serviced six port-of-call zones. By contrast, in the current climate only two zones remain active and revenues have fallen to an estimated 2.5 billion CFP francs. The CCNC is being presented as a key tool in the relaunch of this sector.
Its three headline missions are:
- Structuring and governing the cruise value-chain across the territory through a national strategy.
- Supporting municipalities in the development of cruise activity while respecting the environment and local communities
- Promoting New Caledonia as an attractive cruise destination within the Pacific market.
In short-term terms, the club plans to establish a clear governance framework, strengthen local communications, and reopen additional port-of-call stops. In the medium term, it intends to roll out a multi-year strategic plan, develop a charter and environmental/quality label for the sector, professionalise industry actors, and enhance the value of Caledonian products and know-how.
Why this matters
New Caledonia has a number of assets that favour the development of cruise tourism: an accessible and well-equipped port at Nouméa, a unique mix of French and Melanesian cultural heritage, world-heritage listed lagoons, and a location in the heart of the South Pacific.
The challenge, however, has been to restore confidence among cruise lines, rebuild shore-side infrastructure and streamline coordination across the many stakeholders involved.
By designating the CCNC as the single interlocutor for public and private actors in the cruise chain, Gygès seeks to reduce fragmentation and improve efficiency in decision-making and marketing. The goal is to present a coherent destination proposition to international cruise operators and turn around the downward trajectory in cruise calls and revenues.
Looking ahead
Stakeholders in New Caledonia’s tourism and maritime sectors will now be watching how effectively the CCNC mobilises municipalities, port authorities, local service providers and environmental interests. Ensuring that the club serves not merely as a talking forum but as a functioning governance body will be key to its success.
As Gygès put it, the challenge is now to move from “good initiative” to effective implementation. With appropriate mobilisation and support, New Caledonia may well position itself to reclaim its standing in the Pacific cruise market.
