Digital Tourism learning opportunities

Cook Islands Tourism looks to once again partner with Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia to make more online learning opportunities available through their Digital Tourism Initiative. The Digital Tourism Initiative helps tourism operators, like yourselves, improve their digital footprint by providing support and access to a suite of digital marketing tools, plus get tips and tricks on how to improve your online presence to help increase your presence and to help get you more bookings. We have the opportunity for PTI to tailor relevant online training sessions for the Cook Islands, but we need to hear from you about what content or areas you need assistance on.

If you have any pain points in your digital marketing, want to know how to do a digital health check, or reassurance that your online business presence is sufficient, send an email to daniel.fisher@cookislands.travel with your content suggestions.  

Cultural Heritage experience wanted

Cook Islands Tourism was pleased to host NZ Herald, LuxeGetaways and Heritage New Zealand writer Jacqui Gibson visit the Cook Islands. Jacqui's focus was on cultural heritage experiences available on Rarotonga and travellers experience to Aitutaki. 

Jacqui experienced great Cook Islands hospitality and thoroughly enjoyed her visit -- "Everyone was very generous with their time and provided an excellent experience overall". We look forward to seeing her stories published in the above media outlets. 

On-island eats is a must-do!

Cook Islands Tourism was fortunate enough to host Auckland-based travel and food writer Brett Atkinson to the Cook Islands. Brett, who writes for Stuff NZ, AA Directions as well as the New Zealand Herald, visited both Rarotonga and Aitutaki to cover topics such as:

• On island Eateries – New places to visit.
• Return to Raro – What you need to know.
• Exciting activities and tours to do on island.

Brett, who is no stranger to the Cook Islands, having previously visited and covered stories for Lonely Planet, says that he is excited to be back and looks forward to returning for a holiday in the near future with his family.

BPP gets a bolster!

The Destination Development Department (DD) of Cook Islands Tourism welcomes Tina Kae on a 6 month secondment in their department. Tina joins the team in the Business Partnership Division of DD to help execute the objectives of the Business Partnership Programme. Tina brings with her a wealth of knowledge in customer relationship management platforms, digital marketing, creative design and many years of experience in Tourism in the Cook Islands to support all the efforts of the Business Partnership Programme. Destination Development is excited to be working with Tina to effectively roll out the Business Partnership Programme.

Rarotonga on sale: "Refresh your Work From home!"

This week in the NZ market Air NZ released a grabaseat airfare of $549 per person seat only return from Auckland to Rarotonga.  Sale ends 11.59pm 12 March 2022.   

R.A.T Training essential for Cook Islands Community 

Te Marae Ora in collaboration with Cook Islands Tourism has conducted 26 practical training sessions on “How to Administer a Rapid Antigen Test” and will continue to offer more sessions following the announcement by the Prime Minister on March 7, 2022, that R.A.T tests will now be used to diagnose new cases. At this current time, there are 637 Registered COVID-19 Health & Safety Officers (C-19H&SO), 604 have completed the online theory training and 465 have completed the practical training. We urge the entire community to put their hand up and become a C-19H&SO.

Reasons to register:

• Help alleviate testing done by Local Health Clinics
• Eliminate unnecessary trips to Health Professionals
• Immediate results can be available to yourself, your family or your organisation