Coconut Connection | 28 Jan 2022 v3
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Welcome to the latest edition of Coconut Connection. Your Tourism Industry Updates direct from Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.
Feel free to share the newsletter with your colleagues, family, and members of the community. If you have not yet subscribed, please subscribe here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on email online@cookislands.gov.ck
Travel Checklist for Visitors
There are requirements that every visitor must comply with to enter the Cook Islands. Failure to comply may result in travellers being denied boarding at the airport. Please send the below link to all of your guests when they book with you. This will be critical in ensuring our visitors complete all of the requirements needed to board their flight and enter the Cook Islands without issues.
Vaccination Certificate
Your International Travel Vaccination Certificate (not your My Vaccine Pass)
COVID-19 Test
Your RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test result Travel Document with above listed items
Email Confirmation
Your confirmation email reply from completing the Cook Islands Ministry of Health Travel Declaration for
Public Health Measures
Following New Zealand's announcement of community transmission of the Omicron variant, the Cook Islands have introduced additional Public Health Measures outlined below. Please familiarise yourself with the added measures put in place to help keep you and others safe.
No Entry for Unvaccinated International Travellers
Effective 1st February, 2022 (CKT) no unvaccinated people will be allowed entry into the Cook Islands. Cook Islands Residents or Work Permit Holders who are parents/ caregivers of children under 5 years may apply for an exemption.
Face Masks: Mandatory in All Public Indoor Settings
Wearing of face masks have been made mandatory in all public indoor settings. Examples include: retail stores, supermarkets, petrol stations, dairies/grocery stores, pharmacies, workplaces, Churches, etc.
Domestic Travel: New RAT Testing Requirements
As of Monday 24 January 2022, RAT testing is required for ALL travellers to Aitutaki. This includes RAT tests for transiting travellers from New Zealand. Tests costs $10NZD and will be conducted at the Airport.
All Schools and ECC's Closed for 2 Weeks
All Primary, Secondary schools and Early Childhood Centres will close to students until Monday 7 February, 2022. This allows time for families with 5-11 year olds to receive their first Pfizer vaccine dose
Gatherings Limited to 100 Pax, Max.
All public gatherings, irrespective of vaccination status, have been limited to a maximum number of 100 people. This number does not include staff.
Update: PPE Gear Survey
The purpose of the COVID-19 Test and PPE Gear Survey conducted by Cook Islands Tourism last year was to determine levels of interest from local industry members. Cook Islands Tourism is now liaising with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, who will then take the lead, on acquiring PPE Gear.
As of Wednesday 26 Jan, following the Prime Minister's announcement, Cook Islands Tourism staff have begun assisting Te Marae Ora in distributing both N95 face masks and medical face masks to the industry.
Please contact Carlene Mapu for more information or if you have not received your supply of masks.
House of Travel: First Famil 2022
Cook Islands Tourism is pleased to have Nick Paulsen on island capturing fresh new imagery for New Zealand based wholesaler, House of Travel. House of Travel is a long time partner with Cook Islands Tourism, promoting and selling attractive holiday packages for NZ visitors.
As our first official familiarisation visit since our borders opened on the 13th January, Nick has already experienced great Cook Islands hospitality and enjoyed the cultural interaction which he has captured through his photography. Nick will also visit Aitutaki to experience what it is well known for, its blue lagoon.
We take this opportunity to thank the tourism industry for partnering with us to ensure he experiences all of what our little paradise has to offer. We look forward to seeing the new imagery captured in House of Travels promotional material for the Cook Islands in the coming months.
Cook Islands in Le Figaro Voyage
The Cook Islands was recently featured in Le Figaro, France's leading daily newspaper. With a total readership of over 26 million, the article also included an interview with Cook Islands Tourism Sustainable Tourism Manager, Sieni Tiraa, who highlights eco-tourism and sustainable practices in the Cook Islands. Click here to read the full article...
Ignite Cook Islands
Need assistance with your marketing efforts and promotions? Rarotonga based tourism marketing agency, Ignite Cook Islands, is passionate about promoting the splendour of a little paradise by assisting tourism-related businesses. Services include Market Representation, Overseas Representation, Client Relations/ Sales Representation and Markets Promotion. For more information, please contact claire@ignitecookislands.com or call +682 75645
Investment Opportunities for Cook Islands Hotels
Exciting investment opportunities for hotel brands in the Cook Islands has been made available with Bullfrog + Baum. Bullfrog + Baum is an agency that specializes in hospitality, tourism and food and beverage, public relations and digital/social media. The agency currently has luxury hotel clients who are interested in exploring/identifying investment opportunities in the Cook Islands.
For more information contact: Managing Director - Aik Wye Ng