Cook Islands tourism leaders are set to meet Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) bosses to keep the pressure on for policy changes.

Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott yesterday confirmed she has asked for a meeting with Immigration for an update.

Scott’s call for meetings comes off the back of controversial changes to the immigration visa and permit regime in 2023.

Those changes were highlighted this week when Canadian Terry Snutch, who has been visiting the Cook Islands for 34 years, said he is reconsidering his options as a result of changes to fee schedules for international visitors who wish to extend their stay, describing the policy change as “pulling out the welcome mat from under us and saying we really don’t want you here past 31 days”.

Snutch said it will now cost him $470 to extend his stay for up to 30 days – up from the $70 he paid for as long as he can remember.

Tourism Industry Council’s Scott, who is also the general manager of the Muri Beach Club Hotel, said she is looking to meet with MFAI “the week after next”.

“Our members are also keen to see how things are progressing and get an update to see what changes have come about if any,” Scott told Cook Islands News yesterday.

New details on the changes to the implemented immigration regulations are yet to be revealed.

In August last year, Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Immigration, endorsed a draft Immigration policy change proposal following a submission from the Council on the implications that the new Immigration Regulations would have on the workforce.

Cook Islands News has approached the Office of the Prime Minister with questions as Cabinet is yet to decide on immigration regulations following overwhelming feedback from operators last year.

The newspaper was referred to MFAI. 

MFAI is yet to respond to enquiries from the Cook Islands News.