Tourism
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.
Aitutaki tragedy: Tourist dies after being struck by motorcyclist
Saturday 4 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, Tourism
An elderly tourist died in Aitutaki after being struck by a motorcycle, marking the second road-related fatality on the island within two weeks, prompting calls for increased road safety measures.
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.
Te Marae Ora prepares for potential whooping cough outbreak
Wednesday 18 December 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, Local, National, Tourism
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health is in ‘preparation phase’ as it continues to monitor the status of pertussis (whooping cough) in New Zealand.
Cook Islands aims to future-proof tourism with legislative overhaul
Saturday 14 December 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is undertaking a legislative review to modernise the tourism framework, aligning it with sustainable tourism practices and addressing challenges like workforce development and destination management.
Positive feedback from cruise ship tourists
Saturday 7 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Tourism
The third cruise ship of the season docked in Rarotonga on Friday, bringing hundreds of tourists eager to explore and spend in the Cook Islands.
Controversy over water bills- Tourism Industry Council calls for ‘dry run’
Friday 29 November 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Tourism
The Tourism Industry Council has suggested that the first water bill issued this month be treated as a ‘dry run’ due to concerns about the fairness and transparency of the new water billing system.
Immigration to launch new online visa and permit application system in January 2025
Tuesday 26 November 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of its new online visa and permit application system, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing modernisation of immigration services in the Cook Islands.
Airline on-time reliability and worst cancellations revealed
Monday 18 November 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
The reliability of Air New Zealand and Jetstar flights has seen improvement as spring approaches, though around 20 per cent of flights remain delayed, with a notable number of cancellations.
Sustainable tourism expert visits Pa Enua
Thursday 14 November 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
Kelly Bricker, a sustainable tourism expert and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) board member recently returned from Atiu with Tourism’s chief executive Karla Eggelton looking at ways of increasing tourism numbers to the Pa Enua.
