Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council has elected Tere Carr, owner of Lagoon Breeze Villas, as its new president for 2024-2025 financial year.

The Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday also elected the new executive committee office bearers: Chris Doran, country manager of BSP Bank, and Andrew Whittaker, chief executive of Island Hotels, as its co-vice presidents; Bianca Whittaker, owner of Island Styles Rarotonga, as the secretary; and Betsy Eisler, owner of Palm Grove Resort, as the treasurer.

Outgoing Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott was elected to the 2024/25 executive committee alongside Stephen Doherty, Chris Greig, Sabine Janneck, Kristina Lewis, Ross McLaughlan, Tim Meyer, Maeva Rongo, and Barry Wiezman.

Speaking to Cook Islands News, the new president, Carr, acknowledged the work of the former president, adding that she has big shoes to fill for this financial year.

“I’ve got really big shoes to follow in the past year that I’ve been a member of the council and I’m hoping that I can fill the shoes that Liana has left behind,” Carr said.

“Liana has done a big job and it’s been a very good experience and now it’s our turn to ensure that everyone in the sector is accounted for and I’m really looking forward to the challenges and the new responsibilities.”

Carr said the immediate focus would be on the potential challenges that the industry will face with the new water tariffs that are in progress.

“Obviously it’s going to affect the industry and it’s a really big concern so we’re going to see how the industry is going to address that issue going forward.”

Meanwhile, Scott presented her president’s report at the AGM detailing the many meetings, discussions, proposals, and initiatives that the Tourism Industry Council executive committee had undertaken during the 23/24 financial year, on behalf of the 187 tourism industry businesses they represent.

Members were also provided the annual Treasurer’s Report and reviewed accounts.

After a review of the 22/23 AGM Minutes, outgoing vice president Brent Hayden led the nominations and election of the new office bearers and executive committee members for the 24/25 financial year.

Scott also extended her sincere appreciation to the outgoing executive committee members: Brent Hayden, Robert Skews, and Anna Aitken.

She also acknowledged the businesses and associations that helped support the CITIC executive committee and members throughout the past year: Air Rarotonga for providing plane tickets for the Pa Enua rep Maria Henry to attend the monthly meetings on Rarotonga; Edgewater Resort, Chamber of Commerce, Muri Beach Club Hotel, and Ocean Escape for providing meeting venues for executive committee meetings and general meetings for members.

The CITIC executive committee and membership acknowledged Scott for her outstanding leadership for industry during her four-year term as the CITIC president.

“We are sorry to see her step down, but are pleased she will remain on the committee for this coming year,” CITIC stated.