New Caledonia's tourism sector has been given a boost by China, according the French territory approved destination status.
New Caledonia Photo: RNZ Pacific
The designation means that selected Chinese tour operators can organise group travel while having a control mechanism to guarantee safe and reliable tourism services for their Chinese customers.
The measure was announced by China's ambassador to France Zhai Jun during a visit to Noumea where he met the caretaker vice president Jean-Louis d'Anglebermes.
Several Pacific Islands countries have been added to the list in the past decade, including Papua New Guinea.