Travel
Aitutaki’s One Foot Island beach among world’s best
Friday 19 May 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Go Local, National, Travel
One of Cook Islands’ renowned beaches has been named among the world’s best in a recent poll.
Air New Zealand customers frustrated over changes to Raro flight schedules
Thursday 27 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Travel
A worldwide shortage in A320 neo and A321 neo aircraft engines has led to changes and cancellations in Air New Zealand Rarotonga flights leaving customers frustrated. Matthew Littlewood and Al Williams report.
Cargo cruise crew and passengers get a taste of the Cook Islands
Monday 24 April 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Travel
The passengers and crew of cargo cruise liner Aranui 5 which completed her maiden voyage to the Cook Islands last week were entertained by local drummers and dance group at a special event on Saturday.
MOU on turtle tours
Friday 21 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National, Travel
Two turtle tour operators have declined to sign an ongoing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.
Weather always an obstacle for cruise ships, says Tourism
Friday 21 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Travel
Weather will always be a significant impediment for realising the full potential of a cruise ship, says Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.
Paul Gauguin unable to call to Rarotonga due to bad weather
Thursday 20 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Travel, Weather
Cruise ship Paul Gauguin was unable to call into Avatiu Port, Rarotonga yesterday due to adverse weather conditions, chief executive officer at Cook Islands Ports Authority Okesene Moananu confirmed.
Airlines required to file departure tax returns monthly under new Bill
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Technology, Travel
A Bill requiring airlines to file Departure tax returns monthly has been passed with unanimous support in Parliament.
National Geographic Orion visits Rarotonga
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Travel
The National Geographic Orion – an authentic expedition ship, purpose-built for exploring the South Pacific and its surrounding regions – arrived in Rarotonga on Saturday.
More cruise ships expected
Monday 3 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Travel
Atleast three cruise ships are scheduled to call in the Cook Islands this month including visits to Atiu and Palmerston.
Tourist visa to be extended
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Travel
Visitors to the Cook Islands will be able to extend their stay for up to a year under a new regulation being finalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI). The move has been welcomed by the country’s tourism industry.
Managing tourism ‘better’
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Travel
A consortium will travel to Hawaii to learn about implementing the concept of regenerative tourism.
Coming back for more . . .
Tuesday 21 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Travel
A woman who is celebrating her 29th visit to the Cook Islands doesn’t want to see our nation change.
Breathing new life into an old facility
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Business, Local, National, Travel
Club Raro on Rarotonga has received a facelift in recent weeks as part of a combined effort to breathe new life into a facility constructed in the 1970s. Couple Tish and Owen Mete have been behind the two-month project.
Fighting for every visitor as new flights on the horizon
Monday 13 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National, Travel
About 134,000 people are forecast to holiday in the Cook Islands this year, a 22 per cent drop on the 171,000 visitors in 2019.
Resistance to mega-tourism is rising in the South Pacific
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National, Travel
With Covid-19 travel restrictions largely a thing of the past for Australian and New Zealand tourists, Pacific destinations are enjoying the return of visitors – albeit at a slower pace than in other parts of the world, writes Apisalome Movono and Regina Scheyvens.
Cook Islands tourism has lost its position in Canadian market: Mani
Thursday 9 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Local, National, Travel
The Cook Islands had “definitely lost our position” in the Canadian market over the past two years, revealed Christian Mani, Cook Islands Tourism general manager for North America.
‘Still undiscovered’: Rebuilding North American tourist market underway
Wednesday 8 March 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National, Travel
Less than half of the travellers booked to fly from Hawaii to the Cook Islands when the route opens up in May are from mainland United States, despite the flights creating a gateway between the island nation and 15 North American cities.
‘More seats for bums on planes please’
Wednesday 8 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National, Travel
More seats for bums on planes to the Cook Islands. That’s the message from Aitutaki tourism operators following another Global Breakfast Update on the island.
Chinese billionaire Jack Ma visits Rarotonga
Tuesday 7 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Travel
The arrival of two planes at Rarotonga International Airport has aircraft spotters asking questions.
Cruise ship passengers enjoy Raro hospitality
Friday 3 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Travel
Cruise ship MSC Magnifica anchored in Rarotonga bringing more than 2000 passengers with her.
