The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation celebrated the tourism industry and its hardworking staff through the People’s Choice Awards, recognising individuals and businesses that have made significant contributions to the sector.

The prize giving event for the annual People’s Choice Award, where 29,000 locals and tourists voted for the best, was held alongside the World Tourism Day at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

Five individual tourism operators and five business operators were awarded People’s Choice Award competition in two separate categories.

In the Business Category, the finalists were Charlie’s Restaurant and Bar, Koka Lagoon Cruise, Taio Shipping, and Weddings with Florence Tia.

The winner was Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruise. One of the recommendations from one of the tourists on the online votes stated that Captain Tama’s Cruises was a must-do activity in Rarotonga, indicating that its significant positive reputation among tourists is still alive.

The finalists in the Individual Category were Aisake Katonivere, Florence Syme-Buchanan, Papatua Papatua and Kaina Karaponga.

The winner in this category was Ali Ma’ao, an Aitutaki-based cultural ambassador, who is praised for his ability and authenticity in sharing the Cook Islands culture and making it memorable for tourists. He actively contributes to the preservation and promotion of his culture.

Prime Minister Mark Brown congratulated the award recipients and the tourism industry, emphasising that it was the perfect way to recognise those who play such a significant role in making the Cook Islands’ tourism product what it is today.

“I look at a photo like this and it really does paint the picture about the reason why our tourism is successful,” said Brown, referring to a flyer with pictures of all the nominees on it.

“It’s not just because of our strategies and tactics and what we do but it’s about people who make our product what is it, but more than that, it’s the passion, what you love and what you do that makes a real difference.”

PM Brown also reminded of a recent milestone for the Cook Islands, where tourism revenue exceeded half a billion dollars.

Karla Eggelton, chief executive officer of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, reminisced on the many achievements in the tourism sector and acknowledged the pioneers of the industry who have passed on.

“Around the world, there are destinations that really try to make hospitality and service a standard for expressing their tourism products but here in the Cook Islands, it comes so naturally. We’re so blessed to be here, to celebrate what is successful for Cook Islands,” Eggelton said.

“When People’s Choice Awards was first designed, it was an opportunity for us to be able to celebrate people to people, people choosing people and people understanding that the heart is where the work comes from.”

The individual category winner, Ali Ma’ao, has been with Vaka Cruise in Aitutaki for more than 10 years, contributing to the company’s success.

Last year, Ma’ao and the Vaka Cruise won the Business category in the People’s Choice Award.

“Basically, everyone else in the tourism industry showcase their products while I showcase about our island of Aitutaki and our beautiful lagoon and that’s what I do,” he told Cook Islands News.

“Winning this award means the whole world to me. Starting off with the tourism industry, you don’t think about it too much but as time goes, you start to realise that this is your passion and it is something that you want to do and showcasing it to the rest of the world, people who have never seen what we have in Aitutaki.”

Ma’ao, a proud Cook Islander, father and husband from Aitutaki, thanked God for providing him with the ability. Despite dropping out of school as a child, he’s now a role model for young Cook Islanders who are still trying to make their way in the world.

Martha Nikoia, manager of Captain Tama, said the journey of showcasing the spirit of Cook Islands had been exciting and overwhelming at Captain Tama’s Cruise

“It just goes to show that whatever we’re doing out in the lagoon is what we are meant to be doing, delivering back to our people, to our guests, to our tourists that book in with us,” she told this newspaper.

“Tourism means a lot of things to us, it keeps us employed, keeps us passionate about what we do, entertaining, and delivering a service not just to Cook Islanders but to all the tourists that come onto our island.”

There are approximately 18 staff altogether steering the wheel behind Captain Tama’s everyday operations.

Cook Islands Tourism also recognised individuals who have passed away, pioneers and leaders who are no longer with us. One such person was the late Kave Tamaariki, who was honoured at the event.

Kave was nominated to receive an award but unfortunately, he passed away in October last year aged 58.

The tourism family created a special award, the “Tourism Legacy Award”, to honour his visionary leadership and commemorate the lasting impact he has made on the tourism industry

Kave had received over 23 recognitions requests through CITC’s People’s Choice programme.

His widow, Jules Tamaariki, who accepted the award on his behalf, told this newspaper that she and the staff of Ariki Adventures would continue the legacy of her husband, who dedicated his life to serving the Cook Islands through his work.

“Today’s obviously very emotional but pretty amazing for Kave to be able to be recognised for what he did is just amazing so I’m very humbled,” she said.

“And even when we were in New Zealand, he was looking to start something like, what’s not in the Cook Islands, what can I do that’s new and what can I do in addition to the staff?”

Jules explained that this was Ariki Adventures' 10th year of operation in the Cook Islands and that they would not stop doing what his late husband loved to do.

The second edition of the People’s Choice Awards received over 900 nominations, surpassing last year’s total of 625.