--- title: Coconut ConnectionšŸŒ“ | 3 February 2025, v1 --- Takurua is coming! | View in browser Welcome to COCONUT CONNECTION Your tourism industry update from Cook Islands Tourism.Ā  Updates from Us Under the vision of ā€˜Love Our Little Paradiseā€™, we are committed to ensuring tourism helps our community, culture, environment, and economy thriveā€”both now and for future generations. A crucial step toward this is the ā€˜Our Paradise, Our Promiseā€™ initiative, the Cook Islandsā€™ first Destination Stewardship Plan (DSP). Major Milestone! With Cabinetā€™s recent endorsement, the Cook Islands has officially established a Destination Stewardship Advisory Group (DSAG) and Project Management Unit (PMU) to lead the DSP. This marks the first time an all-of-government, cross-sector approach has been taken to manage tourism responsibly. Ā  šŸ”— Read more about the Cabinet endorsement here: Cook Islands Establishes Destination Stewardship Advisory Group Ā  In case you weren't able to attend our consultations over the last weeks, have your say online! Ā šŸ”— Click here to contribute Ā  Your voice matters ā€” help shape the future of tourism in the Cook Islands! Takurua is coming! As part of the Cook Islands' 60th Anniversary of Self-Governance celebrations, Cook Islands Tourism is proud to presentĀ Takurua ā€“Ā taste of the season, a culinary celebration of identity, heritage, and connection to our homeland through food. This yearā€™s event embraces the anniversary theme,Ā ā€œI know who I am, I have a homeland ā€“ Kua kite au i toku turanga, e Avaiki toku,ā€ by showcasing a key ingredient that has long sustained our people ā€“ Kuru (breadfruit). Ā  The Takurua event, first launched in 2018 as Takurua ā€“Ā Food and Feasts of the Cook Islands, is being reintroduced with a new focus on highlighting one local ingredient each year. In 2025, Kuru takes center stage, connecting generations through food, storytelling, and cultural appreciation. This event brings together local farmers, chefs, home cooks, and the wider community to explore the versatility, history, and significance of Kuru in Cook Islands cuisine. Read More Air Rarotonga & Air Tahiti Strengthen Connection Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti have announced an expanded schedule for the Tahiti-Rarotonga route, doubling to four weekly flights from 29 June to 28 December 2025. Operated under codeshare agreements, this marks the highest connectivity between the two nations and enhances access to the Cook Islands via Air Tahiti Nuiā€™s international network. The expansion targets travellers from key northern hemisphere markets seeking authentic experiences, with seamless connections from France, North America, and beyond. Cook Islands Tourism CEO Karla Eggelton highlighted the importance of strengthened airline partnerships and strategic marketing to capitalise on this development, making the Cook Islands more accessible and offering greater itinerary flexibility for visitors. Read More Click here to join our Valentine's Day Giveaway! Adventure Travel Show \| London, UK \| 11-12 January 2025 Cook Islands Tourism participated in the Adventure Travel Show at Londonā€™s Business Design Centre, joining over 100 exhibitors in showcasing unique and extraordinary travel experiences. The event attracts clients researching their next adventure or ā€˜bucket listā€™ destination. Represented by Ian Griffiths, UK Representative for Cook Islands Tourism, the show highlighted growing interest in detailed itineraries, including travel to the Northern Group and even desert island survival tours. Ian noted, "It was exciting to meet travellers seeking more than just a beach stopover. Watch this space for new experiences arriving in the Cook Islands soon!" Read More Connect with NZ & AUS Travel Trade Island Media has connected Pacific Island businesses with the New Zealand and Australian travel trade through IslandTime Magazine for over 12 years. Through their quarterly IslandTime Magazine, they deliver exclusive island-specific news and updates directly. With a distribution network reaching 2,500 printed copies, 4,500 e-zines in New Zealand, and 17,000 e-zines in Australia, Island Media provides exposure to the leisure and MICE markets. If your business has news or developments worth sharing with the NZ/AUS travel trade that you would like featured, contact Fran McDermott onĀ fran@islandtime.co.nzĀ or visitĀ www.islandtime.co.nzĀ  Read More Matka Travel Fair \| Helsinki, Finland \| 16 - 19 January 2025 The Matka Travel Fair, Finlandā€™s largest travel event, offers travellers the chance to plan trips that meet their unique needs while connecting with experts from nearly 70 countries. Over four days, including a trade-only opening day, the event welcomed over 50,000 visitors. Cook Islands Tourism returned to Matka, sharing a prominent stand with Finnish specialist Aktiv Resor alongside partners Tourism Australia, Air Tahiti Nui, and Explora Cruises. In addition to engaging with the Finnish travel trade and consumers, Ian Griffiths presented a 30-minute main auditorium session, sharing the appeal of the Cook Islands under the theme Love Our Little Paradise. Read More Sharing Our Little Paradise With Germany & Switzerland The new year started busy for our Northern Europe representative Lars Schubert. On January 13th, he attended a roadshow in Switzerland to train approx. 20 travel agents in Lucerne and another 40 in Basel.Ā  Following this roadshow, Lars attended CMT in Stuttgart, Germany ā€“ the world's largest consumer travel fair. Together with Miller Reisen, one of our key partners selling the Cook Islands in the region who also just visited with their own famil in December, Lars spread the word about our little paradise at their booth. He also heldĀ  two destination presentations to about 90 attendees, receiving excellent feedback.Ā  Read More Boost Your Business: Access Our New Industry Checklist Kia Orana industry members! We are proud to share with you our new Industry Checklist. This comprehensive list provides easy access to all the resources available to support your success. Click Here To View Affordable Representation for Tour Operators \| Auckland Travel Show & Trade Night \| March 2025 Rarotonga-based tourism marketing agency Ignite Cook Islands will represent a select portfolio of tour operators at the Cook Islands Tourism booth during the Auckland Travel Show this March, with limited spaces still available. By sharing the costs of participation, representation, flights, and accommodation among clients, the service remains an affordable option for small operators. Ignite CI ensures exclusivity by avoiding representation of competing businesses and will focus on showcasing 'Things to See & Do,' building on Claireā€™s popular segment in Escape magazine. Contact Claire by Email or phone +682 75645. Famil Programme Updates Cook Islands Tourism has recently welcomed several Trade and Media groups from North America and Australasia, helping to enhance our visibility abroad. We thank our industry partners for their support. Interested in joining our Familiarisation Programme? Contact our Trade Manager, Sarah-Elyss Ezekiela Meghan Boyd returns to the Cook Islands Meghan Boyd, South Pacific Product Manager for Goway Travel, recently revisited the Cook Islands for the first time since 2010. Her trip included site inspections and activities on Rarotonga and Aitutaki to explore the latest tourism offerings. As a Canadian-based tour operator specialising in South Pacific travel, Goway Travel primarily serves US and Canadian clients and is a key partner in crafting complex Cook Islands itineraries. Read More Reva Magazine to feature the Cook IslandsĀ  Cook Islands Tourism recently hosted Patrick Seurot, Senior Editor of Reva Magazine, Air Tahiti Nui's inflight publication. During his January 2025 visit, Patrick explored Rarotonga and Aitutaki, interviewing locals to delve into the islands' history, culture, and traditions. The visit aims to produce articles for Reva Magazine in 2025, focusing on the new Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti Nui partnership, the uniqueness of the Cook Islands, and what makes it a special destination for readers. Read More Useful Tools Save-Worthy Social Content Drives Engagement! On social media, quick, visually stunning videos perform bestā€”and nothing works quite like a good list (see this one, for example)! Content like ā€œ5 Best Beaches in Aitutakiā€Ā orĀ ā€œTop 5 Restaurants in Rarotongaā€Ā catches attention because: Ā  Ā šŸŒ“ Theyā€™re Super Shareable:Ā People love sharing travel tips with friends. Ā šŸ“Œ They Get Saved:Ā Audiences bookmark videos to come back to later. Ā šŸŽ„ Theyā€™re Easy to Revisit:Ā Short and sweet content is perfect for scrolling. Ā  Ā šŸ”‘ Pro Tip:Ā Keep your videos under 30 seconds, use captions for easy accessibility, and end with ā€œSave this for your next trip!ā€ to boost those saves and shares. New Businesses Gel Me Aitutaki Gel Me AitutakiĀ is a brand-new home salon on the island, specializing in body-waxing & nail services of all kinds. To book, contact Anastasia onĀ FacebookĀ or Ph: (+682) 72931 Events & Activities View all Events List your Event Community EventsĀ  14 February 2025: Rarodice Music Festival Ā  Sporting Events 23 February - 2 March 2025: Tiare Netball Celebration 2025 Ā  Travel Trade Shows (Attended by Cook Islands Tourism) 9 - 10 May 2025: South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2025, Nadi, Fiji Ā  Consumer Travel Shows (Attended by Cook Islands Tourism) 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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