3 - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECTORS AND OPPORTUNITIES TOURISM In 2019, the tourism sector reached 130,000 tourists and 350,000 cruise passengers, figures that are on the rise thanks to a favourable international economic climate combined with the region's efforts to attract tourists (destination contracts with China and Japan, development of the offering, advertising campaigns, etc.). As part of its tourism, services and leisure development strategy (SDTSL), the aim of the Southern Province is to become an exceptional, must-visit tourist destination in the South Pacific. Air transport The Southern Province has an international airport that is one of the largest hubs in the insular Pacific, with about ten international destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, opening doors to 5 continents. It also has a number of domestic airfields linking the North, South and Loyalty Islands. International and domestic airlines have recently renewed their fleets. Cruises Thanks to its strategic geographical position, New Caledonia has many assets to offer cruisers unmissable ports of call. In the 2019 "Cruise Critic" ranking of the 5 most popular ports of call in the South Pacific, the Isle of Pines is in 2nd position. As for the port of Noumea, it is a systematic stopover in the capital to discover the "French touch" in the heart of the Pacific. The development of its cruise terminal will increase its capacity to accommodate boats of over 350 metres... The creation of a modern, high-performance yachting marina, designed to accommodate large yachts on a permanent basis, is also planned to meet the region's ambition to develop top-of-the-range tourism. 25
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