Cook Islands Tourism is seeking the input of businesses across the country to identify the key challenges and opportunities they face.

The Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey is now open for participation, providing businesses with an opportunity to have their say on the current economic climate and highlight any factors affecting their operations.

It is voluntary to participate, and all responses will be kept confidential, Cook Islands Tourism said.

The BCI survey is a collaborative effort between Cook Islands Tourism, the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, and the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO). It is being conducted by the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and it covers a wide range of topics, including labour force, training needs, business relationships, tourism impacts, revenue and costs, and corporate social responsibility practices.

Tina Kae, industry development manager at Cook Islands Tourism, said: “The BCI survey is crucial for gathering insights into the business landscape and informing our future initiatives.”

“We urge all businesses, irrespective of their field, to participate in this survey and share their invaluable insights.”

The 2022 BCI survey revealed that labour shortages following Covid-19 and inflation/general high costs were significant challenges for Cook Islands businesses.

However, businesses also expressed optimism about growing, adapting, and diversifying their operations.

The updated 2023 survey removes specific references to Covid-19 and instead focuses on understanding how businesses are operating now including whether they have any corporate social responsibility practices in place.

This update aims to capture any changes in visitor demographics, new business opportunities, or emerging challenges related to inflation or staffing that businesses may be facing as visitor arrivals recover and continue to increase towards pre-pandemic levels.

Karla Eggelton, the chief executive of Cook Islands Tourism, said they are particularly interested in understanding how businesses are adapting to the evolving economic landscape and whether they have any notable changes, opportunities, or challenges to report.

“With visitor arrivals reaching pre-pandemic levels, it is essential to gauge the current business sentiment and identify areas for support.”

Brad Kirner, director of destination development at Cook Islands Tourism, urged all businesses to participate in the BCI survey and share their valuable insights.

“The information collected through the BCI survey will be used to develop evidence-based policies around business support, training, and labour force development,” Kirner said.

“By understanding the challenges and opportunities facing our businesses, we can tailor our initiatives to effectively support their growth and success.

“Your feedback will play a vital role in shaping our understanding of the business landscape and informing future initiatives that support business growth and foster a thriving business environment in the Cook Islands."

To participate in the BCI survey, visit https://www.cooksbusinesssurvey.com and click on the “Take the survey” button. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.