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title: Coconut Connection🌴| 4 September 2024, v4
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Tourism Woman of the Month 2024 and more...

| View in browser Welcome to COCONUT CONNECTION
 Your tourism industry update from Cook Islands Tourism.  Cook Islands Tourism Announces Tourism Woman of the Month  Cook Islands Tourism is thrilled to announce that Constance Maeva Halligan, affectionately known as Connie, has been named Tourism Woman of the Month - September 2024. With over 20 years in the industry, including an impressive 24-year career with Air New Zealand, Connie’s dedication is truly remarkable. Discover more about her inspiring journey and celebrate with us on September 26th at 6:00 PM at the Islander Hotel. READ MORE... People's Choice Awards 2024: Voting Heats Up   The People's Choice Awards 2024 is well underway, with voting open for both the Individuals and Business categories. The excitement is building as the number of votes surpasses last year's total, with over 23,000 votes already cast.  Voting will close on Monday 16th September with the winners being announced on World Tourism Day, Friday 27th September. So head to the Cook Islands Tourism Facebook page and cast your vote by reacting to the images of your favourite finalists in both categories. Each reaction counts as a vote, so get involved and help celebrate those that make our little paradise special!  READ MORE... Disaster Preparedness Survey   Following on from our recent participation in the Emergency Cook Islands (EMCI) cyclone simulation, CIT is seeking information from accommodation providers to help improve disaster preparedness and emergency management across the Cook Islands tourism industry.   All accommodation providers are asked to please fill out a simple survey, which will help us assess current practices, better coordinate emergency response efforts, and identify what support our industry needs surrounding disaster response management (DRM). TAKE SURVEY NOW Cook Islands Tourism Global Breakfast Update - Save the Date! Mark your calendars for October 1 2024! The Cook Islands Tourism Global Breakfast Update is coming soon. Stay tuned for more details. REGISTER NOW Tourism Updates Visitor Assistance Now at the Saturday Punanga Nui Market To better connect with visitors on Saturday, CIT has relocated its Saturday visitor assistance services to the lively Punanga Nui Market. This move, aimed at leveraging the market’s high foot traffic, has already increased engagement with both tourists and locals. READ MORE... Aitutaki Cultural Tour Guide Booklet Launch   The Aitutaki Cultural Tour Guide booklet, set to be launched at Tamanu Beach Resort on Thursday, September 5th, is the culmination of efforts stemming from the first cultural tour guide workshop for Aitutaki, held on November 4th, 2021.  READ MORE... Showcasing Te Ara o te Akau at the Punanga Nui Market   CIT has proudly joined forces with Te Ara o te Akau (TAOTA) at the vibrant Punanga Nui Market to highlight the crucial work being done to protect and nurture our precious marine environment through their coral restoration right here in Rarotonga. This partnership is more than just a display; it’s a celebration of TAOTA’s commitment to preserving the natural beauty that makes our islands in the Cook Islands so special. READ MORE... Southern Europe Agents Embrace the Cook Islands   We are delighted to share that several travel agents from Southern Europe chose to spend their winter holidays in the Cook Islands this year. This is a powerful testament to the growing reputation the Cook Islands have earned. When agents are willing to personally invest in experiencing our destination's unique culture and lifestyle, it highlights the undeniable appeal of our islands. READ MORE... Matavera Dog Desexing Clinic   In August, a successful dog desexing clinic in Matavera treated 19 dogs. Hosted by the Holy Spirit Revival Church and the Matavera community, the event was organised by Te Are Manu, Cook Islands SPCA, and their dedicated volunteers.   The next FREE dog desexing clinic is at Avana Meeting House in Ngatangiia on Wednesday, 4th September 2024, from 8 am. FREE transport can be arranged by calling Cook Islands SPCA at 73362. Updates will be posted on the Kia Orana Values Facebook Page. Cook Islands Tourism Pa Enua Staff Visit Rarotonga for Strategic Planning and Capacity Development CIT Pa Enua staff, Teaumata Rairi, Aitutaki Tourism Coordinator, and Mareta Atetu, Atiu Tourism Coordinator, recently spent three days in Rarotonga to enhance their skills and contribute to strategic planning. Their visit was a key part of a broader effort to align tourism development across the Cook Islands. READ MORE... Industry Updates Tiare Netball Celebration Coming to Rarotonga in February 2025   Get ready for the Tiare Netball Celebration, coming to Rarotonga in February 2025!   This exciting event will bring together netball enthusiasts from across the Pacific for a week of thrilling matches, cultural festivities, and community fun.   Local teams are invited to join the action and showcase their talent alongside international competitors. Businesses can also get involved through sponsorship, with packages offering great exposure and the opportunity to sell directly to participants.   Visit the website for more information.  For sponsorship inquiries contact Mike Godinet at mike@pacificsportcelebrations.com.   Cook Islands Salary Survey 2024   Strategic Pay, Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC), and the Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) are pleased to announce the Cook Islands Salary Survey 2024.   This survey aims to  provide essential insights into remuneration trends, helping organisations make informed salary decisions and compare market rates.   All participants will receive a FREE copy of the report upon publication.   For more information, contact Joanne Donald, Strategic Pay Data Analyst, at joanne.donald@strategicpay.co.nz. Outsource HR functions opportunity   HR Solutions, an independent HR service based in Rarotonga, offers tailored, solution-driven outcomes for complex HR challenges throughout every phase of the employee life cycle. With an array of services designed to meet diverse HR needs, HR Solutions is your go-to partner for effective HR management. To explore how they can support your organisation, contact them via email hrsolutions682@gmail.com or call +682 72923. Digital Tip Let's Get Interactive!   Boost your social media engagement by using interactive story features like polls, quizzes, and emoji sliders. These tools make your audience active participants, increase viewing time, and provide valuable insights. Here’s how to use them: Polls: Quick questions to get instant feedback. Quizzes: Fun challenges to keep followers engaged. Emoji Sliders: Simple ways to measure audience sentiment. ‘This or That’ Games: Encourage quick participation with fun choices. ‘Guess the Destination’ Quizzes: Create curiosity and drive repeat engagement. Adding these interactive elements into your social media stories makes them more fun and engaging, which can really amp up how much your audience interacts with your content. Events & Activities View all Events List your Event National Events 5 - 19 October: Cook Islands Games, Rarotonga   Sporting Events 16 - 22 September: Netball World Youth Cup Regional Qualifiers 19 - 25 September: Round Rarotonga Road Race  24 - 31 October: Cook Islands Squash Open 4 - 8 November: Rarotonga Legends Vets Golf Week 7 - 10 November: The Aitutaki Liftoff 7 - 9 November: Raro Rugby 7's, National Stadium 22 - 29 November: Vaka Eiva 30 November - 6 December: BSP Netball in Paradise   Concerts and Music Events 7 September: Shiny Disco Box by Coco House Bros, Hula Bar 27 September: Rehab Ministry by Coco House Bros, Rehab Nightclub 5 October: Peeled + Pulped Beach Party, Aroa Beachside Inn & Shipwreck Bar 12 October: Shiny Disco Box by Coco House Bros, Hula Bar   Conferences & Expos  2 - 6 September: Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference & Expo 15 - 21 September: Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC)   Travel Trade Shows (Attended by Cook Islands Tourism) 9 - 13 December 2024: USTOA Annual Conference & Marketplace, Florida  9 - 10 May 2025: South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2025, Nadi, Fiji   Consumer Travel Shows (Attended by Cook Islands Tourism) 24 - 25 January 2025: Utah Travel Expo, Salt Lake City 15 - 16 February 2025: Travel & Adventure Show, Phoenix 22 - 23 February 2025: Travel & Adventure Show, Los Angeles 8 - 9 March 2025: Travel & Adventure Show, Denver 15 - 16 March 2025: Travel & Adventure Show, Bay Area 22 - 23 March 2025: Travel & Adventure Show, Dallas Industry Links Flight Schedules Air New Zealand Jetstar Air Rarotonga / Air Tahiti Hawaiian Airlines Air Rarotonga - Domestic Raro Tours Transfer Schedule Other Links Create/Update Website Listing List an Offer Image/Video Gallery Safety Resources Cook Islands Tourism, P.O. 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