10 Aug 2005

New Caledonia eyes New Zealand tourism investment.

8:20 pm on 10 August 2005

New Caledonia is hoping an investment roadshow through New Zealand will help turn tourism into a major industry in the territory.

The New Caledonia economy is dominated by nickel production but Alain Chung of the Economic Development Agency says the government wants to dramatically increase annual visitor numbers from the current 100,000.

Seven Pacific countries are taking part in the Jewel In The Isles seminar which is encouraging people to invest in tourism projects, with an emphasis on accommodation.

Mr Chung says an Auckland developer is planning a 200 bungalow resort in New Caledonia but the government also wants to attract the smaller investor.

"In any destination, you have the big flags, the Hilton, the Sheraton, or the other five star brand but then the rest follow - the three star, the two star, because not everybody is going to Hilton or Sheraton."