Economy
Famed resorts to close
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
More than 200 jobs set to go as The Rarotongan, Sanctuary Rarotonga and Aitutaki Lagoon Private Resort shut down, the first big victims of the coronavirus.
Government solicits banks' agreement to loan holidays
Friday 20 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
ANZ holds out on government’s plea for three-month debt repayment holidays for struggling Cook Islanders.
The $61m prescription: Cook Islands govt answer to Covid-19
Thursday 19 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
As New Zealand shuts downs its borders, Cook Islands government announces a rescue package to prop up struggling businesses and keep people in work.
Free power to the people
Thursday 19 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Power company Te Aponga Uira is providing free electricity to domestic consumers as they face “difficult times ahead” in the Covid-19 pandemic.
First Virgin, now Jetstar abandons Cook Islands
Thursday 19 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Jetstar has cancelled all its flights to and from Rarotonga, effective from next Tuesday.
Tourism down, petrol up
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Petrol prices are to rise on Friday, angering customers already facing an economic downturn caused by Covid-19.
Vodafone: We are in this together
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Philip Henderson, Vodafone CEO advised the tourism industry that all businesses were in this together.
Go digital, say banks
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Banks say Cook Islanders and their companies will be forced to use electronic payments instead of face-to-face transactions, if Covid-19 arrives.
Tourism leader: 'We're almost in freefall'
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
A snapshot of 42 accommodation businesses shows they’ve had more than 170 cancellations between them – and that is expected to worsen now New Zealand is advising against non-essential travel.
'Coming out fitter, stronger, brighter'
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
One of Cook Islands’ leading resort owners says the country’s tourism is now closed for business. This is now the chance for bold ideas.
Government plan to 'protect livelihoods'
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Covid-19 is the greatest health and economic challenge of our times, government says. Today they announce the economic rescue package.
Tourism: We need government rescue package and we need it now
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Nearly 200 people attended a major tourism meeting this morning, where they pleaded for government to move more quickly on assistance for the business community in confronting a major visitor downturn.
Tourism hoping for help
Tuesday 17 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Government prepares to dip into cash reserves to pay for stimulus package. Resorts and tour companies are to start laying off staff as the coronavirus causes an unprecedented tourism drop-off.
Tourism to provide update on crisis management, sustainability
Monday 16 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Economy
Tourism will tomorrow discuss ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry.
Air NZ goes to ground in deluge of enquiries
Saturday 14 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
New Zealand Prime Minister puts tight new controls on travel to the Pacific – but her national airline makes first cut the deepest.
Virgin takes a flight out
Friday 13 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
First coronavirus – and now tourism industry faces another big blow.
Rejected tourists disembark
Friday 13 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
More than 100 tourists last night disembarked their cruise ship in Rarotonga, after Tahiti announced it would turn them away.
$1.4m to fight coronavirus
Thursday 12 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Government is clawing back unspent cash from different agencies to fight the threat of Covid-19.
Mato takes up top trade role
Wednesday 11 March 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy
Cook Islands is hoping the appointment of Teremoana Mato as the Pacific Islands Forum trade commissioner will make way for local export products into China.
1000 cruise tourists arrive on Raro tomorrow
Tuesday 10 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Health officials say they’ve done a thorough risk assessment of the 1000-passenger cruise ship Maasdam, ahead of its arrival at Rarotonga tomorrow.