Just three hours from Australia, but a world away, New Caledonia is an ideal destination for companies looking to host world-class international events close to home, and with a difference.

This year the destination will exhibit at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME), highlighting how New Caledonia aims to take business travel to the next level, by delivering premier facilities set amongst breathtaking landscapes.

For events, whether it be large, small or just a bit quirky, New Caledonia offers the perfect setting complimented by a variety of global hotel brands, several of with have undergone extensive refurbishments in the past 12 months.

The South Pacific island is easily accessible from Australia's key business hubs; Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with national airline carrier, Aircalin, offering regular direct flights to the buzzing capital of Noumea.

New Caledonia Tourism Australia (NCTA) will enhance the destination's presence at this year's AIME, joined by five key operators to showcase the MICE offering from the destination. 

NCTA business tourism manager, Danielle Flegg said the MICE sector has large growth opportunities for New Caledonia, and the tourism body and partners will use AIME as a platform to secure important MICE business leads to help achieve this.

“New Caledonia is moving forward at a rapid pace with new visitation figures showing a 15.8 percent increase in inbound tourism from Australia to New Caledonia compared to 2014*. These figures are primarily leisure based visitors, so there is huge potential for us to add to this growth through business tourism.

“Not only does New Caledonia offer world-class MICE facilities but the islands' close proximity to Australia and 'bleisure' offerings provide the full package for business travellers.  From soft adventure, exceptional cuisine, unique culture, luxury accommodation and natural wonders, New Caledonia is an all-encompassing experience,” said Flegg.

Dedicated to developing and promoting New Caledonia as a MICE destination, a selection of local hotels and event management agencies will be joining New Caledonia Tourism at AIME (stand 5006). These include:

• Aircalin (National airline carrier) - Contact: Brett Walsh (brett.walsh@aircalin.com.au)

• Starwood Hotels (representing Le Meridien Noumea, Le Meridien Ile Des Pins and Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort) Contact: Clara Zaime (clara.zaime@lemeridien.com)

• Chateau Royal Beach Resort and Spa - Contact: Jimmy Bugel (commercial1@chateau-royal.nc)

• GLP Hotels (representing the Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences, Escapade Island Resort and Nouvata Parc Complex) - Contact: Julie Cassin (sales@glphotels.nc)

• New Cal Events (Event management) - Contact: Suzanne Kenyon (newcalevents@lagoon.nc)

For more information on New Caledonia visit: www.new-caledonia.com.au and for specific information around the destination's MICE offering visit: www.newcaledoniamice.com.au

For media enquiries please contact: 
Natalie Schofield / Lynsey Trembath
New Caledonia Tourism Australia Representative 
E: natalie.schofield@gtitourism.com.au / lynsey.trembath@gtitourism.com.au
Ph: +61 (0) 2 9028 3569 / +61 (0) 2 9028 3597

*According to recent figures released by the Institute of Statistics New Caledonia