Tourism
Cook Islands and Honolulu sign sister city agreement, eyeing tourism boost
Saturday 8 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional, Tourism
Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday signed an agreement to establish a ‘sister-city relationship’ between Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and Honolulu, Hawaii, in the hope of building a stronger partnership and growth in inbound visitor numbers from Honolulu and the United States.
Tourism industry, Fijian residents welcome NZ scrapping transit visas
Friday 7 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Fiji, National, New Zealand, Regional, Tourism
Cook Islands tourism industry and Fijians residing here have welcomed New Zealand’s decision to lift transit visa requirements for Fiji nationals travelling through NZ.
Vaka Marumaru Atua crew greeted by host country and Cook Islanders in Hawaii
Tuesday 4 June 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Tourism
The Cook Islands voyaging canoe Marumaru Atua arrived at Sand Island, Hawaii, on Saturday.
Tourism operators commit to safety with annual water safety programme
Saturday 1 June 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
Fifty marine tourism operators from Rarotonga are currently taking part in an annual water safety programme, delivered by Te Mato Manava Turoto Cook Islands Tourism (CIT), in partnership with Water Safety & Surf Lifesaving Cook Islands.
Direct flights from Honolulu show ‘steady improvements’
Thursday 30 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Tourism
Cook Islands celebrated the first anniversary of their direct flights from Honolulu, hoping to attract more North American tourists despite a slow start.
Cook Islanders advised to check extended wait times for passports
Wednesday 29 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Tourism
The New Zealand High Commission in the Cook Islands has advised applicants to check the extended processing time (up to 8 weeks) before applying for a New Zealand passport due to system upgrades.
Tourism enhances safety for Cross-Island Trek with new signage
Tuesday 28 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism in partnership with other stakeholders has installed a new safety sign with maps, tips and emergency contacts for the popular Cross-Island Trek.
Rarotonga resort prioritises sustainability to meet eco- conscious tourist demands
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Features, Go Local, National, Tourism
A Rarotonga-based resort is participating in a German-funded green hydrogen project to reduce its carbon footprint and become more sustainable for environmentally conscious tourists.
Cruise Cook Islands wraps up ‘positive season’ despite cancellations
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Tourism
The Cruise Cook Islands’ 2023/24 season ended on a positive note with Paul Gauguin making a visit to Aitutaki and Rarotonga on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Cook Islands Tourism defends emergency procedures after tourist death
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Appropriate emergency procedures were followed during a medical event which resulted in the death of a New Zealand tourist on Tuesday afternoon, says Cook Islands Tourism.
NZ tourist dies on snorkelling tour, Police investigate
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, New Zealand, Regional, Tourism
A 49-year-old woman from New Zealand has been confirmed dead after being transported in an ambulance from the Avaavaroa Passage in Vaimaanga yesterday.
Cook Islands tourism booms, early arrivals smash record
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals are trending towards a record this year, with the highest total in the first four months of 2024. However, Cook Islands Tourism says they will still fall short of the 2019 record.
Cook Islands open to airlines, eyes North American expansion
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Economy, National, Parliament, Tourism
Cook Islands welcomes any airline interested in flying to the country, especially those that can expand the country’s reach to North America and Europe, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Stuck in the doldrums? Vaka Marumaru Atua crew waits for fair winds
Wednesday 8 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Tourism, Weekend
Eager to set sail for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (Festpac 2024) in Hawai’i from June 6–16, the Vaka Marumaru Atua crew awaits favourable northwesterly winds for their departure from Rarotonga.
Aspiring leaders tackle tourism challenges
Tuesday 7 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism welcomed the second cohort of the Future Leaders Academy students, showcasing a unique collaboration that blends leadership development with innovative tourism solutions.
New Zealand family devastated by teenager’s sudden death
Tuesday 7 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Health, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional, Tourism
A teenager from New Zealand tragically died in his sleep during a family vacation in Rarotonga, leaving his family heartbroken and seeking support for repatriation costs.
Setting sail for the future
Saturday 4 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, Local, National, Tourism, Weekend
Vaka Marumaru Atua voyage to the Festival of Pacific Arts in Hawaii aims to revive traditional navigation techniques and celebrate cultural heritage, with a young crew mentored by experienced navigators.
Airline celebrates 30 years of supporting Rarotonga Triathlon
Thursday 2 May 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National, Sports, Tourism, Triathlon
Air New Zealand’s longstanding sponsorship for the Rarotonga International Triathlon “is testament to the airline’s commitment to the tourism industry”.
Health and visas top dissatisfaction list in Cook Islands public services
Monday 29 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Health, Local, National, Tourism
A Cook Islands public service satisfaction survey found that nearly half of respondents were dissatisfied, with the health clinic, visa applications and non-emergency police services being the least satisfying experiences.
Strong first quarter fuels optimism for Cook Islands tourism industry
Saturday 20 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
International economists and leading resorts say the Cook Islands is on track for a record year in arrivals, buoyed by strong first-quarter figures.
