As part of a major push to revive its international tourism sector, New Caledonia unveiled a comprehensive recovery plan aimed at welcoming at least 250,000 tourists by 2032. Christopher Gygès, a member of the government in charge of economic attractiveness, presented the plan on Wednesday in Nouméa alongside local partners.
Following a crisis in 2024, Gygès said New Caledonia now has a historic opportunity to reinvent itself and build a tourism industry that drives economic diversification.
“New Caledonia must move forward today despite the difficulties. Moving forward together, with public and private actors, shows that our plan is both ambitious and realistic, enabling the creation of wealth in New Caledonia—something we urgently need at the moment,” Gygès said.
The territory aims to more than double its pre-pandemic performance, building on the 126,000 tourists welcomed in 2023, excluding cruise passengers. The recovery strategy focuses on transforming New Caledonia’s tourism DNA: moving upmarket, diversifying offerings, and targeting high-value-added markets.
Key elements of the plan include:
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Boosting international promotion: The government plans to increase the promotion budget from 250 million to at least 400 million francs, with additional revenue from cruise and Airbnb taxes, aiming to reach nearly 700 million francs by the end of 2026 and one billion francs over time.
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Restoring confidence and visibility: Joint campaigns with provinces, airlines, hoteliers, and tour operators will target Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Measures include attractive “flight + accommodation” packages, hosting a major audiovisual production from 2026, and creating a New Caledonian excellence label promoting premium, environmentally sustainable services.
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Improving air connectivity: Proactive pricing, new airline routes, monthly charter flights to Japan from 2026, and competitively priced transport-accommodation packages are planned to enhance access.
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Diversifying tourism activities: Initiatives include positioning New Caledonia as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination, promoting sports tourism such as sailing and golf, and developing a calendar of economic, cultural, and sporting events.
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Supporting accommodation and investment: The government will restart hotel construction and renovation with financial incentives, promote diversified lodging such as eco-lodges and homestays, and establish tourist free zones to attract investment.
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Skills development and employment: Training programs in hospitality, food services, culture, and leisure will be expanded to ensure high-quality service, while promoting local know-how and culture.
A new tourism brand will replace the current “Pacifique au cœur” identity through a public consultation involving residents and tourism professionals, aiming to better represent New Caledonia internationally.
Coinciding with the announcement, the destination welcomed two new hotels. Hotel Wadra Bay opened in December, and the luxury beachfront Aqualuna hotel will open in April 2026. Domestic flight operations will transfer to La Tontouta International Airport from 2 March, improving connectivity and modernising infrastructure.
Gygès concluded, “The tourism sector represents a genuine industry of the future. Through coordinated action between public and private stakeholders, New Caledonia can achieve its ambitious goals and ensure sustainable growth, jobs, and international visibility for the territory.”
