A representative from Aitutaki Escape promotes the business at the Cook Islands Travel Expo in Auckland which attracted more than 3500 people. 21070520
More than 3500 people have attended a trade expo in Auckland aimed at promoting Cook Islands tourism.
Fifty
Cook Islands tourism operators were on hand to promote their products at the Hilton
Auckland on Sunday and Monday.
The
expo had two components – on Sunday, a consumer day aimed at attracting
visitors, and a retail travel agents and wholesalers focussed event on Monday.
Cook
Islands Tourism Australasia general manager Graeme West said 3376 registered on
Sunday, although it was likely there were more who didn’t register.
Another
273 attended on Monday.
The
50 Cook Islands exhibitors were a combination of accommodation providers,
airlines and activity operators, while four major wholesalers attended with
reservations agents able to make bookings and take enquiries on the day.
“Without
giving away commercially sensitive information, bookings on the Sunday and
Monday were excellent,” West said.
“One
of our goals was to get bookings for January to April next year and that has
happened, and is continuing.”
West
said it was an “overwhelming” turnout by the public.
“This
is the first time that we have done an event like this, so we were nervous, but
all the suppliers were rewarded with plenty of customers.”
Cook
Islands Tourism Industry Council president and Muri Beach Club Hotel general
manager Liana Scott, who also attended the event, said there was wide ranging
representation from the industry.
That
was accompanied by performances from the popular Kia Orana ambassadors Aunty
Nane Papa and Aunty Lydia Nga, a live string band, and dancers.
“The
measures are feedback from industry and of course new bookings, particularly by
those using the show special codes for the deals on sale which will be closely
monitored.”
Scott
said there were enquiries from agents to organise similar shows in Wellington
and Christchurch.
“It
is also a busy time in Rarotonga and many of the suppliers cannot be away too
long, so perhaps this would be timed just outside of high season.”
