After retaining the presidency of the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council, Liana Scott is ready for another challenging year as the industry hits the speed bump to its ‘Road to Recovery’.

Local tourism operators have shown faith in the leadership of the Tourism Industry Council after re-electing Liana Scott as their president for another term, which is expected to be filled with challenges as the industry grapples with another border closure.

The general manager of the Muri Beach Club Hotel retained her role at the  2021 Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday at the Edgewater Resort and Spa. The meeting was attended by 46 industry members.

The members also re-elected Greg Stanaway and Robert Skews as vice presidents. Andrew Whittaker, the chief executive of the Island Hotels Ltd which owns Edgewater and Club Raro resorts, is the new secretary while Betsy Eisler has been retained as the treasurer. The executive members are Brent Hayden, Tim Meyer, Ben Bergman, Anand Naidu, Chris Doran while Temu Okotai, Jael Abera-Lornie (Aitutaki) and Paul Napa (Lynch) are the new appointments to the team.

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Scott, who was appointed the new president of the Tourism Council after the untimely passing of Sue Fletcher-Vea in early last year, took on the challenge when Covid-19 brought tourism to a standstill, resulting in million dollars a day of losses to the public revenues.

She said 2020/21 was a year of losses both personally and financially for members of the Council.

However the border closure gave businesses and owners an opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate, Scott said.

Liana Scott, Muri Beach Club Hotel general manager and president of the Tourism Industry Council. 20082002/03.

During that time, the Council engaged in a number of activities including the creation of the Private Sector Task Force, a joint venture with the Chamber of Commerce. The Council also lobbied for the implementation of relief for the private sector that resulted in the Economic Response Package/wage subsidy scheme.

The Council also lobbied Ministry of Foreign and Immigration to waive/reduce the work permit fees, which has resulted in the recent announcement of relaxed rules to bring in expatriate workers to ease labour shortage felt during the travel bubble.

Scott said the Council met with Ministry of Marine Resources to discuss the Muri Lagoon issue and future clean up plans. The Council supported Te Are Manu Vet Clinic and SPCA Cook Islands in their spay/neuter campaign and initiatives from the Dog Registration and Control Committee, she said. The Council also hosted its delayed Cook Islands Tourism Awards earlier this year.

“Yes, we acknowledge our good fortune, compared to our neighbours, including the recently two-way quarantine free travel with NZ, the unwavering financial support from Cook Islands government and most importantly we are fully vaccinated.”

An Air New Zealand flight leaves Rarotonga for Auckland in July. DANILO REYES/ISLAND CAPTURE.CK/21071648

When the two-way quarantine free travel with New Zealand resumed in May, the tourism industry saw an impressive recovery with high number of Kiwi visitors, including many first timers, coming here for a holiday.

Scott said the trends they saw since the establishment of the travel bubble were longer stays, bigger spend on island (Aitutaki, upgrades to higher room categories, rentals cars etc), first time travellers spreading the good word, new customers for conversion making them advocates for the island and satisfied guests rebooking next holiday even before departure.

The ‘Road to Recovery’ has hit a speed bump following new Covid-19 community cases of Delta variant.

Scott said the latest outbreak in NZ has taught them some key lessons:

• Uncertainty – it is proven the border can close at any time.

• Different variants of Covid and the possibility of further vaccination

• Prudent management and the precautionary approach

• Avoiding risky investments

• Save for a rainy day – like literally be careful with investments, extensions

• Cross training of staff as the labour situation worsens – building team morale

• Examining labour recruitment from Samoa, Tonga & Vanuatu

• How crucial it is for NZ vaccination programme to be completed

• Readiness to adapt and be resilient

• Quality control and guests’ satisfaction is paramount

• Remaining open to potential new markets

• Acknowledging and adjusting to global product shortages

• Managing cost of living increases.

“Together we will get through this – We have hit a speed bump to our ‘Road to Recovery’. We have weathered the first storm, and we will weather this one as well, but it will not be without challenges,” Scott said.

“We have already seen tourism rebound with vigour and we will see it again.

How long of course remains the question.”

Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Halatoa Fua, from left, Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott, Chamber of Commerce chairman Fletcher Melvin and Chamber chief executive Eve Hayden. PHOTO: AL WILLIAMS 21080906

Scott said personally, “this journey and large shoes I have had to fill as president of the Cook Island Tourism Industry has been a huge experience and I have learnt much from it”.

“There has been the occasional criticism that public pronouncements do not necessarily reflect the consensus of members. However, it has to be understood that on most occasions, there is not that opportunity when the media rings for an immediate response.

“Your executive and I were voted in by members with a mandate to speak on their behalf, and this is the opportunity at the AGM to put your hand up to contribute toward this organisation.”

Halatoa Fua, the chief executive of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, presented an overview of the various scenarios that are in play as a result of the border closure with NZ.