Tourism
MSC Magnifica brings in hundreds of passengers
Thursday 27 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Tourism
Cruise liner MSC Magnifica, the largest cruise ship to visit the Cook Islands anchored just outside the Avatiu Harbour, Rarotonga bringing more than 2000 passengers yesterday.
Aircraft back in air after repair
Tuesday 25 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Tourism
The Hawaiian airline’s Airbus A321, which was grounded for almost two weeks, is finally back in the air and has returned to service after undergoing repairs.
Home cooks showcase kuru’s potential at Takurua competition
Monday 24 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Tourism
The home cooks in the Te Mato Manava Turoto/Cook Islands Tourism’s “Takurua – Taste of the Season”, Tiopu Kuru (breadfruit stew) competition at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday did not disappoint.
Cook Islands Tourism prepares for Takurua culinary celebration
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Karla Eggelton says the upcoming Takurua culinary festival gives an opportunity to share the nation’s food story in a way that “connects us to our past while also showcasing how our cuisine is evolving”.
Takurua culinary festival in honour of 60th anniversary of self-governance
Thursday 6 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Tourism
In celebration of Cook Islands' 60th Anniversary of Self-Governance celebrations this year, Cook Islands Tourism is presenting Takurua – taste of the season, a culinary celebration of identity, heritage and connection to Cook Islands homeland through food.
Back-to-back cruise ship visits boost Rarotonga tourism
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Tourism
Within 48 hours, two cruise ships – the Zuiderdam, which visited on Saturday, and the Costa Deliziosa, which arrived yesterday – called at Rarotonga.
Engaging communities to shape the future of tourism
Saturday 1 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, In Depth, National, Tourism, Weekend
Engaging and practical public consultations have been held throughout this week to help Cook Islands Tourism develop the policies that will guide the nation positively into the future, focusing on how tourism can contribute positively to the wellbeing of the Cook Islands.
Cook Islands Tourism embarks on community consultations for sustainable future
Wednesday 29 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Tourism
Embracing the vision of ‘Love Our Little Paradise’, the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is once again reaching out to the community with its first of several public consultations this week for the ‘Our Paradise, Our Promise’ initiative.
Cook Islands Tourism celebrates local changemakers
Tuesday 28 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
The 23rd round of Cook Islands Tourism’s Te Vaka O Ru programme, held in Aitutaki in December, recognised the exceptional contributions of local changemakers during the period of July to October 2024.
Cook Islands establishes Destination Stewardship Advisory Group
Monday 27 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
The Cook Islands Government has taken a bold step towards a sustainable and inclusive future with the establishment of the Destination Stewardship Advisory Group (DSAG).
$541.7m tourism earnings
Saturday 25 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals reached 170,315 last year, the second-highest number on record, just behind the 2019 peak of 171,550, contributing over half a billion dollars to the economy.
Kiwi traveller robbed in Rarotonga has insurance claim denied
Friday 24 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
A New Zealand tourist’s beachside holiday in Rarotonga took a turn for the worse after his belongings were stolen and his travel insurance claim was denied.
First 2025 cruise ship - tourists explore Rarotonga’s beauty
Thursday 23 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
The first cruise ship for the year, Viking Sky arrived safely on Rarotonga’s shores yesterday, bringing over 800 tourists excluding the crew members to explore the island. Tour operators and businesses were seen lining up around the Avatiu wharf welcoming the tourists.
Tourist apologises after getting lost on mountain trek
Wednesday 22 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
A tourist who found himself stranded in a bush after a solo mountain trek has publicly acknowledged his mistakes and apologised to local authorities.
Two women rescue lost tourist after six-hour mountain search
Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, Local, National, Tourism
A male tourist was safely rescued early Sunday morning after a six-hour search, having become lost during a mountain trek on Rarotonga.
Visitor arrivals on track to rival record numbers
Thursday 16 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals in 2024, with December figures yet to be released, have surpassed the total arrivals of 2023 and are on track to rival the record number set in 2019.
Weaving Peu Maori into the cultural tapestry for Vaka Pride Round 28
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
The Regenerative Tourism team, Jeremy Goodwin and Emma Kainuku-Walsh, has been actively engaged in the latest round of Vaka Pride, now in its 28th round, which took place last month.
Discover Palmerston: A slice of paradise in the Pacific
Saturday 11 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
Palmerston sits like a delicate necklace in the blue body of the Pacific, its coral reef and white beaches strung with six sandy motu scattered through it and a surrounding vast lagoon.
Annual water safety training offers key skills for marine operators
Thursday 9 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism (CIT) will host its upcoming Annual Water Safety Training, a programme aimed at enhancing the safety skills of water-based operators.
Escaping the summer heat
Saturday 4 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Tourism, Weather
Many believe that the temperature this summer has been hotter than in previous years, leading families, including locals and tourists, to seek relief in the ocean.
