Tourism resignations an urgent wake up call - Sir Terepai Maoate

Rarotonga - The resignation of two key staff members in the Cook Islands Tourism (CIT) office must serve as an urgent wake-up call to the current government that it cannot continue to ignore critical issues affecting the country’s lead agency and industry.
Democratic Party leader Sir Terepai Maoate says the resignation this morning (Monday 21st March) of acting CEO Glenda Tuaine and New Zealand regional marketing manager Chris Ingram on Friday leaves the tourism office and the industry in a serious predicament.
Sir Terepai says he has been informed that both former employees are citing excessive interference by board chairman Tata Crocombe and a board that has been virtually ineffective since being appointed earlier this year.
“The minister for tourism (Robert Wigmore) can’t sit back and hope this problem goes away, he has known for sometime about the problems but has not acted to resolve them, he must act now before the situation worsens.”
Sir Terepai stresses that the five government ministers wake up and begin appreciating how important the tourism industry is to the country. “It employs hundreds of our people, if we have a downturn in tourism, operators will be forced to cut back on staff – this would be disastrous for the country and our economy.”
He says Tuaine has been acknowledged as being a highly regarded and valuable member of the tourism office who has been responsible for some very effective marketing strategies, such as the recession free slogan. “To lose her because of problems with the chairman and board, which can and should be sorted out by the minister, would be a tragedy for tourism.” Sir Terepai added that Ingram has also been instrumental in building the New Zealand market and had earned the confidence of the tourism industry here for doing an effective job. “Our country can’t afford to lose good, valuable people like these two.”
In a letter to Prime Minister Jim Marurai, a leading tourism operator on Rarotonga Rohan Ellis says the departure of Glenda Tuaine “will set back tourism promotions and development work by years.”
“This is NOT the time to change leadership at the Tourism Corporation. Glenda is key to the strategic management and direction of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation. The tourism industry will suffer grave consequences with the continued systematic destruction instigated by Tata Crocombe and his peers on the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation Board. “
Ellis says Crocombe is widely alleged to have used his position as chairman of the CIT board to further the interests of his two Cook Islands hotels with overseas travel operators.
“As an industry operator with 93 hotel rooms on Rarotonga, I am deeply worried at the irreversible damage caused by Tata and his fellow Board Members. The balance of Board members will probably distance themselves when questioned about Tata’s motives – if they are truly concerned about Tata’s misguided directions – they should all resign in protest. “Ellis says he “will not be held ransom to one man and his team of self-serving industry operators who sit on the Tourism Board, as they dictate and map out our tourism future. We are all in the dark as we have no idea what is being planned for the future. If Tata’s plans are noble – great – but let us know what is happening and give the industry reassurance. Tata is not the only person with a vested interest in the Tourism Industry. We all have financial commitments & obligations. If his plan fails, the consequences will be dire for our economy.”

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