Tourism
Vaka Marumaru Atua sets direct course for Hawaii
Thursday 18 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, National, Tourism
Vaka Marumaru Atua will skip Tahiti and sail directly to Hawaii with a youth crew to attend the 2024 Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Honolulu in June.
National Geographic Orion docks in Rarotonga
Thursday 18 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Tourism
State of the art expedition cruise ship, the National Geographic Orion, arrived in Rarotonga yesterday.
Scammers use fake Cook Islands resort to lure overseas job seekers
Wednesday 17 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, Local, National, Technology, Tourism
International scammers have created a fake Cook Islands resort to lure people looking for jobs in the tourism industry. They deceive victims into paying an upfront fee of at least $280.
Cruise visitors down by 72 per cent due to weather
Monday 8 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Tourism, Weather
Despite double the cruise ship arrivals this year, Cook Islands tourism industry suffers a 72 per cent drop in passengers due to bad weather impacting port calls.
Air NZ flight to Rarotonga turned back midway due to ‘technical fault’
Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Tourism
Passengers flying in and out of Rarotonga faced delays up to six hours after an Air New Zealand flight took a U-turn on Monday morning (Cook Islands time).
Cook Islands hosts week-long tourism data training
Friday 15 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Tourism
A week-long training on data initiatives in tourism was held at the Muri Beach Club Hotel, co-organised by Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and Cook Islands Tourism.
Tourist influx expected as Jetstar adds flight
Thursday 14 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Jetstar is adding a fourth weekly flight between Sydney and Rarotonga due to strong demand from Australian tourists, bringing the total to four flights per week, starting later this month.
National Geographic Orion brings tourists to Rarotonga for excursions
Thursday 7 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Tourism
About 60 passengers disembarked from the visiting cruise vessel in Rarotonga on Tuesday.
Cook Islands balances tourism growth with sustainability
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism
Cook Islands emerged from the Covid-19 slump with a tourism boom in 2023.
Beyond the numbers: How tourism benefits everyday life in the Cook Islands
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Business, Economy, Features, Go Local, National, Tourism, Weekend
January saw a record breaking 10,368 visitors arrive on our shores. They’re staying longer, and spending more on average. But what do these facts and figures look like in the daily lives of Cook Islanders? Cook Islands News journalist Candice Luke spoke to locals about how the tourist dollar is affecting them, their families, and their businesses right now.
January arrivals best on record
Thursday 29 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
A record total of 10,368 international visitors were welcomed to the Cook Islands last month according to newly released statistics for January 2024.
Visitors enjoy snorkelling, sightseeing and exceptional service
Thursday 29 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in National, Tourism
The cruise ship Paul Gauguin was in Rarotonga yesterday with 253 visitors on board, enjoying a south Pacific paradise tour.
Rarotonga welcomes cruise passengers for sightseeing and shopping
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Majority of the passengers onboard Crystal Serenity came ashore during the cruise ship’s visit to Rarotonga on Saturday.
‘Pearl of the Pacific’ - Cook Islands tourism needs promotional boost
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Having returned from an Australian Entire Travel Group Roadshow, Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott says competition is fierce in the marketplace, and promotions need to start now.
Tourism seeks additional $3.5m to protect Cook Islands’ ‘golden goose’
Monday 19 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism is requesting $3.5 million in additional funding to invest in optimising the new flight routes, develop outer island tourism, and create a path for diversification in the tourism sector.
Don’t miss the plane: Time to diversify and future proof tourism, says Eggelton
Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism
At Tuesday’s global business update at The Edgewater Resort, Cook Islands Tourism chief executive officer Karla Eggelton told an audience of about 60 people that 2024 is “shaping up to be a positive year” and now is the time to diversify and future-proof the industry.
Tourists reunited with stolen bag, minus cash
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National, Tourism
French tourists’ stolen bag was found in a bush, missing only cash, with police investigating and Tourism Council urging vigilance and stronger security measures.
Tapping into more tourism plans for the Pa Enua
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands, Tourism
Through destination development, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is looking at opportunities, stating that “an opportunity exists to expand the tourism offering and amplify community-led tourism in the Pa Enua”.
Visitor arrivals jump 26 per cent in 2023
Thursday 25 January 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals for 2023 have jumped 26.3 per cent of the number recorded in the year 2022, exceeding the expectations of the Cook Islands tourism industry.
Pause on Sydney flights estimated to cost national economy $2.21m
Monday 22 January 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, Local, National, Tourism
The Cook Islands economy is bracing for a more than $2 million loss in revenue when direct flights from Australia are suspended for the final month of summer.
