The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is hosting a state of tourism update this morning with speakers from across the industry contributing.

The Global Breakfast Update (GBU), which will be held at Muri Beach Club Hotel, features commentary from Tourism Corporation chief executive Karla Eggelton, director of destination and development Christian Mani, UK/Nordic Market Representative Ian Griffiths, and Senior Economist for Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (MEFM) Sally Wyatt.

Topics at the event include a roadmap towards a more regenerative approach to Tourism Development in the Cook Islands, an update on the state of the UK/Nordic market highlighting planned activity, Pape'ete access route, marketing update and insights, and a visitor economy update and future planning session.

The breakfast is held quarterly and provides the tourism industry the opportunity to get a gauge on how the market is faring as well as what is coming up in the future.

“As we enter the summer (low) and soon to be festive season, this GBU will focus on finishing up 2022 and forwards for early 2023,” Eggelton said.   

“As with the last update, we will also hear from our MFEM colleagues who can provide an economic update, with a forecast for first quarter 2023. The GBU’s are an important opportunity to continue the dialogue with the industry and broader community, so we invite and welcome all interested persons to the GBU.”

The event comes at a pivotal time for the tourism industry in the Cook Islands, with many organisations expressing concern about the relative lack of flights coming into the country, the lack of visitors from outside New Zealand, and the likelihood of a recession in New Zealand next year.