WE SAY: The threat to our tourism

The increase in tourism arrivals is good news. Just don’t get carried away with the latest figures.
Sure, we got 18,070 visitors in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 8% on the same period last year.
Sure, March arrivals increased by 6.8% with tourists from New Zealand and Australia contributing to this.
But look to our west to put this into perspective. One of our main rivals in the Australian and New Zealand markets, Samoa, is growing rapidly.
Tourism revenue in Samoa in February this year was 35% more than February last year, figures from its Central Bank show.
In Samoa the growth is attributed to the increased number of flights, cheaper airfares and the success of tourism promotions.
Samoa’s development and popularity are a threat to our tourism industry in two of our main markets.
There’s also a new worry. The Cook Islands is starting to be seen as an expensive destination (see report on page 12).
So, congratulations to Cook Islands Tourism Corporation on the new figures.
But, please, no complacency anywhere in the tourism industry. Constant effort in Australia and New Zealand has to be an essential part of the marketing and promotion mix.
More effort to get tourists moving on from Rarotonga to attractions of the Outer Islands, including Aitutaki, is needed.
And everyone should be looking at ways to reduce the cost of holidaying here.
Those latest figures are only part of the picture.

Headlines : Times 199 07 April 2007
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- Tangaroa takes her art to a new level
- COURT BRIEFS
- We Say : The threat to our tourism
- Letters to the Editor
- Te Ipukarea rep joins future leaders learning skills in Apia
- Cook to perfection

Headlines : Times 198 30 April 2007
- Team says review medical referral system
- Spending on health may not be enough
- Disaster exercise goes well, some problems to be fixed
- Telecom 3 bring home benefits from Papeete
- BROADBAND GROWS
- They Say: Te Aponga replies on policies
- The bird is back