Kelly Bricker, a sustainable tourism expert and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) board member recently returned from Atiu with Tourism’s chief executive Karla Eggelton looking at ways of increasing tourism numbers to the Pa Enua.

Eggelton says they had the pleasure of visiting Atiu and meeting with the Island Council to discuss Cook Islands Tourism’s ongoing work in fostering sustainable tourism and bringing more visitors to the beautiful Pa Enua.

She said Dr Kelly Bricker from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) joined her in support of that brief.

In a statement, Tourism said Bricker was in the Cook Islands as part of their work to develop a sustainable destination that not only meets the needs of visitors, but also enriches the lives of the Cook Islands people for generations.

“Dr Bricker and members of our leadership team met with island leaders, stakeholders, ministries, NGO’s and the local community in Atiu, Aitutaki and Rarotonga to identify priorities for long-term sustainability.

“Her work here will feed into our delivery framework for sustainable tourism.”

Meanwhile, Cook Islands Tourism says they are committed to ensuring a more sustainable and regenerative approach is taken when it comes to their tourism offering.

They also want to empower visitors, the tourism industry, and the community to help improve the holistic well-being of our people and island homes, both now and for future generations.

And this can be achieved by finding ways in which they can help visitors not only have a fulfilling experience during their time here, but that also provides them the ability to leave our little paradise better than they found it.

“The idea of sustainability and regeneration is nothing new for the Cook Islands people - it is something that we have been practicing naturally for generations. What has changed is the mind-set and interests of our visitors.”

Examples of regenerative travel experiences include eco-tourism, marine conservation and forest/land conservation.

Others include community-based tourism, agro-tourism: Visiting rural farmers, traditional arts and craft and community development.- CI Tourism