Figures released in New Caledonia show outbound travel has grown to a record level, with a notable boost in departure numbers to New Zealand.
The data, published by Noumea's daily newspaper, shows this year outbound trips are expected to surpass the 130,000 mark which amounts to a ten-percent increase over last year.
A travel agent says in more than 40 years he had never seen demand like this year, with all Noumea to Paris seats for Christmas sold out by November the 20th.
The boom coincides with the continued decline of New Caledonia's tourism industry, which is expected to receive fewer than 100,000 visitors this year.
