Tourism
Destination Stewardship Plan prioritises cultural integrity in sustainable tourism
Saturday 29 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Tourism
The Cook Islands Destination Stewardship Plan aims to balance tourism growth with cultural preservation by addressing challenges like commodification and intellectual property protection through community-driven initiatives and responsible visitor engagement, focusing on authenticity, education and sustainable practices.
Record-breaking tourist arrivals signal strong year
Friday 28 March 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Tourism arrivals in the country soared to a record high in the first two months, with a 23 per cent increase in visitors compared to the same period last year.
Community and culture take spotlight in Cook Islands Tourism discussions
Thursday 27 March 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism is holding focus group sessions to gather input for its new tourism plan, moving from growth-focused to sustainable tourism.
Green hydrogen project enters phase two with community engagement
Friday 21 March 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, Local, National, Tourism
Motu Beachfront Art Villas is ramping up its commitment to sustainability as it moves into the second phase of a pioneering Green Hydrogen Project.
New tourism venture set to boost Atiu’s appeal
Thursday 20 March 2025 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Outer Islands, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism is reviewing an exciting new tourism experience that is set to launch in Atiu soon.
Tourism engages with European and UK trade
Tuesday 18 March 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism strengthened its European partnerships and promoted its destination through strategic business-to-business meetings and incentive programmes, aiming to increase visitor numbers and expenditure.
Tourism expands Kia Orana Ambassador Programme to schools and communities
Tuesday 18 March 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism’s Kia Orana Ambassador Programme promotes responsible tourism by educating and engaging various community sectors, including tourism workers, schools and church groups, to uphold cultural and environmental values.
Hawaiian Airlines enhances Raro Service with daytime departure, US Connectivity
Wednesday 5 March 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Local, National, Tourism
Hawaiian Airlines has announced significant enhancements to its Rarotonga (RAR) service, designed to improve the travel experience for passengers and expand connectivity between the Cook Islands and the United States.
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.
