Travel
Cruise passengers strike it lucky with the weather
Wednesday 28 December 2022 | Written by Cameron Scott | Published in Local, National, Travel
Passengers who disembarked from the luxury cruise ship Silver Whisperer in relatively calm seas yesterday were treated to some brilliant – if a little hot and sticky, weather yesterday morning.
Tourists’ mixed reactions to our Covid response
Saturday 24 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Travel
The Cook Islands approach to Covid-19 has received a mixed response from tourists in the latest visitors’ survey.
Pa Enua visitors keep Air Raro busy
Thursday 22 December 2022 | Written by Cameron Scott | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Travel
While Air Rarotonga festive season flights to the Southern Group islands aren’t quite as busy as in the pre-Covid epidemic years, they’re still running at a good level, says the airline’s founder and chief executive, Ewan Smith.
Plan ahead for a smooth flight: Air New Zealand
Thursday 22 December 2022 | Written by Cameron Scott | Published in National, Travel
With more than 2.8 million customers taking to the skies with Air New Zealand – and large numbers of Cook Islanders returning home from New Zealand and Australia for their summer holidays, the airline is encouraging people to plan ahead and add extra time for their travel.
Choppy seas fail to deter cruise passengers
Thursday 22 December 2022 | Written by Cameron Scott | Published in Local, National, Travel
About 125 passengers of the 315 aboard the cruise ship Paul Gaugin braved choppy conditions yesterday to disembark from the vessel and check out Rarotonga.
Survey: Visitors spend more on longer visits
Thursday 22 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Travel
Tourists are spending more, staying longer and encouraging more people to come to the Cook Islands, according to the latest International Visitor Survey.
Tonga diversion adds two hours to Rarotonga flight
Wednesday 21 December 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Travel
An Air New Zealand flight to Rarotonga was delayed by more than two hours yesterday, after being diverted to Tongatapu Fuaʻamotu International Airport in Tonga.
More seats for Raro route
Wednesday 21 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Travel
Air New Zealand has responded to tourism operators’ concerns about capacity in Rarotonga and has added an extra 70,000 seats for the Auckland to Rarotonga route over the winter period next year.
Tourism set to take on regenerative approach
Tuesday 20 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, Local, National, Travel
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is proposing a new approach to tourism and development in the region with a stronger focus on environment and sustainability.
Tourism industry faces spectre of fewer visitors
Tuesday 20 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Travel
Tourism operators are preparing for a quiet few months, as visitor numbers drop as predicted.
Aloha greets Kia Orana as Hawaiian Airlines prices go online
Saturday 10 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Travel
Tourism operators now have the North American market in their sights, with the first airfares of the Honolulu- Rarotonga flight going online this week.
Navigating new opportunities for Cook Islands tourism
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, National, Travel
The announcement of direct flights between the Cook Islands and Honolulu and Cook Islands and Sydney has been welcome news for tourism operators wondering what their future held.
Aloha! Direct Honolulu flights to give Cook Islands access to US market
Thursday 1 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, National, Travel
Direct flights between the Cook Islands and Honolulu will begin in May next year.
‘Christmas has come early’: Direct flights from Sydney to Rarotonga set to return
Thursday 1 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, National, Travel
The Cook Islands Government has signed a new partnership with Jetstar, bringing direct flights between Sydney and Rarotonga.
Jetstar takes over Sydney direct service
Wednesday 30 November 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Travel
Jetstar will commence operations into the Cook Islands non-stop from Sydney from June 29, 2023, Prime Minister Mark Brown announced today.
Cook Islands announces direct service to Hawai’i with Hawaiian Airlines
Wednesday 30 November 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Travel
Prime Minister Mark Brown on Wednesday announced that Hawaiian Airlines will begin flying to the Cook Islands from Honolulu starting May 20, 2023.
Immigration staff to undergo training for new visa and permit processes
Tuesday 29 November 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Local, National, Travel
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) undertook the first series of immigration training last week.
Sydney flights on the horizon
Monday 28 November 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Business, Economy, National, Travel
Cook Islands tourism sector is set to receive a timely boost with the return of direct flights to and from Australia.
Flights down by 30 per cent from peak as tourist operators prepare for ‘graveyard month’
Friday 11 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, National, Travel
Rarotonga-bound flights and seat numbers could be down by more than 30 per cent on pre-Covid-19 times during the December to March period.
Tough low season looms - Operators concerned with anticipated lack of NZ flights
Thursday 10 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, National, Travel
Tourism operators are wary of Air New Zealand’s new flight schedule for the December to March period.
