HERALD WEEKLY ISSUE 608: 21 March 2012

Mitiaro Home-stays to launch this month
Hot on the heels of the successful opening of the Tourism Office and Visitors’ Centre in Atiu the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation and the people of the island of Mitiaro will launch the Mitiaro Home-stay product later this month. A delegation of partners in this project including NZAID and Cook Islands Tours will travel to Mitiaro before the end of March to launch the newest tourism product in the Sister Islands.
Initiated by Temu Okotai of Cook Islands Tours and supported by Government through the Tourism Corporation and its NZAID funded Destination Development initiatives, the project has been developed over the last twelve months in conjunction with the Aronga Mana, Mayor and Island Council, and the Mitiaro Business Development Committee.
This month the first three of the thatch-roofed huts will be launched and blessed. Each home-stay hut has one bedroom, shower and toilet facilities, a relaxing covered front porch area and all visitors will be catered for by the host family. The Mitiaro Home-stay project will be completed in three years’ time with a planned seven more home-stay huts expected to open during this time including two-bedroom family units.
Metua Vaiimene, Director of Destination Development for Cook Islands Tourism says “Home-stays are a sustainable way for the people of Mitiaro to preserve their distinctive lifestyle, their history and the culture of this precious little place. The pace of life on the island of Mitiaro is something that deserves to be cherished and needs to be protected. Home-stay accommodation ensures this way of life remains intact.”
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation Destination Development strategy and associated initiatives will generate a long term programme of tourism infrastructure development and economic growth for the people of Mitiaro. Tourism will help stimulate agriculture, fisheries, construction, arts, craft and cultural development as well as other benefits to the broader community and the development of public infrastructure on Mitiaro.

Herald Issue 608 21 March
- Terms of one China Policy document should be reviewed
- Pacific Media Assistance Scheme Seeks Innovation
- Successful NZ visit by PM
- Rerekura Teaurere New Climate Change Coordinator
- News Briefs

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