Economy
Local businesses at Pasifika
Wednesday 21 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Two local companies will attend the 26th Pasifika Festival to be held this weekend at Western Springs Park, Auckland in New Zealand.
Cruise visitors enjoy their day
Thursday 15 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Light showers on Tuesday failed to dampen the spirit of cruise ship tourists, who enjoyed their day out in Rarotonga.
Tourism office nominated for prestigious prize
Thursday 15 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation Australia has been nominated for the Best Tourist Office – International at the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) National Travel Industry Awards 2018.
Pacific Resort group expands
Monday 12 March 2018 | Published in Economy
Pacific Resort Hotel Group (PRHG) is continuing to expand with the addition of Royale Takitumu to its portfolio of properties. The group offers a range of management services via its franchise partner hotel programme. As a partner hotel, Royale Takitumu now benefits from PRHG’s substantial support network, global marketing, international sales team and sales field support, along with guidance and support in hotel operations to deliver high levels of guest satisfaction and experience. Established in 1998, and now under new ownership, Royale Takitumu continues a long tradition of offering premium, secluded accommodation for the discerning traveller. The deluxe boutique beachfront property is located on Titikaveka beach, one of the top 15 beaches in the South Pacific according to Trip Advisor. Royale Takitumu’s new owners are John and Rose Dunn. John is a Cook Islander based in New Zealand. A successful surgeon and private hospital owner/operator Dunn also works at Rarotonga hospital, having introduced equipment and training there. His wife Rose is a designer whose houses are award-winning, and she is a major patron of Pacific art through Tautai in Auckland. Both are passionate about the Cook Islands and look forward to working with PRHG to bring their aesthetic and vision to Royale Takitumu. Group chief executive Marcus Niszow says he is excited with the addition to the PRHG family. “Royale Takitumu is a great complement to our existing beachfront resort portfolio in the Cook Islands. The cultural fabric of Royale Takitumu is closely aligned with PRHG’s brand ethos and together we aim to reach new heights in terms of overall product quality and guest experience”. PRHG owns three award-winning properties in the Cook Islands, and provides management services to five others. The PRHG franchise partner programme allows Royale Takitumu to retain day-to-day operational management while benefiting from the expertise and marketing resources of the Cook Island’s largest revenue hotel group. - Release
January shows downturn in visitor arrivals
Monday 12 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
After welcoming a record number of visitors to the Cook Islands last year, the tourism industry noted a decline in the visitor arrivals for the opening month of the year.
Super Fund worth close to $145m
Monday 5 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
The members’ stake in the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund is worth close to $145 million, according to the latest Fund performance as at January 31, 2018.
It's time to sort out your taxes
Monday 5 March 2018 | Published in Economy
In the wake of the government’s recently passed Income Tax Amendment and VAT Amendment Bill, the job of the team at the Cook Islands Tax Amnesty Office is about to change.
PAYE write-off due to error
Thursday 1 March 2018 | Published in Economy
Financial secretary Garth Henderson says government agencies have always paid their Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, adding the PAYE debt that was written off as part of ‘tax forgiveness’ is a result of a reconciliation error.
When can foreigners buy property?
Thursday 22 February 2018 | Published in Economy
Land allocated to locals can be passed onto foreigners if they are unable to afford it, Minister of BTIB Kiriau Turepu said during Tuesday’s question time session at Parliament.
North American market soars above all others
Monday 19 February 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Tourists from the North American market are the biggest spenders in the Cook Islands.
Boost from extra visitors worth $32m
Saturday 3 February 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
The Cook Islands economy gained from around $32 million in extra spending generated by the 10 per cent increase in visitors last year compared to 2016.
Tax amnesty writes off $4.5 million
Thursday 25 January 2018 | Published in Economy
With more than two months left to go on the government’s recently-extended tax amnesty, the Revenue Management Division so far processed $8 million worth of tax debt from 520 applications.
Visitor boost forecast
Thursday 18 January 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Government predicts more than 160,000 tourists will visit the Cook Islands in the financial year 2017/18 which runs from July, 2017 to June this year.
Boost for airport security
Saturday 9 September 2017 | Written by Chris Taylor | Published in Economy
The world’s aviation security is only as strong as its weakest link, and the Cook Islands Airport Authority is determined not to be a weak link.
Budget group gets down to work
Tuesday 4 April 2017 | Published in Economy
The Budget Support Group (BSG) was established to provide support during the budget process in evaluating ministry and agency submissions and provide recommendations to cabinet.
PM signs Singapore flights deal
Wednesday 8 February 2017 | Published in Economy
Yesterday marked another milestone in deepening relations between the Cook Islands and Singapore with the signing of an Air Services Agreement between the two countries.
Tourism boosts interest from Asia
Friday 15 April 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
In a bid to boost its Asian market, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation took part in the China Outbound Travel and Tourism market (COTTM) this week.
Tourism confirms visitor increase
Friday 8 April 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
With the exception of November, the Cook Islands have experienced strong growth in visitor arrivals since October last year, says the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.
Economy in holding pattern
Saturday 30 January 2016 | Published in Economy
The verdict is out on the global economic outlook for 2016.
US stance on fishing could hit economy
Friday 22 January 2016 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
The Cook Islands government is concerned about the impact on national fisheries revenue after United States gave Pacific Island nations notice on its plans to withdraw from the South Pacific Tuna Treaty.
