Enua Manu prepares for long term growth in the Tourism sector

One of the most exciting outcomes of the recently launched destination development project on Atiu has been the incredible support by the people of Atiu for the initiatives which were developed in consultation with the community. Indeed, many of the first phase projects would not have been completed without the cooperation, hard work and determination of Te Iti Tangata o Enua Manu. On Monday and Tuesday, the island hosted their partners from Rarotonga including the Hon. Teina Bishop the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Nandi Glassie the Minister of Agriculture, The NZ High Commissioner John Carter and the NZAid Programme Manager Jonathan Rowe, the Chairman of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, Ewan Smith, along with Board members Thomas Koteka and Stephen Doherty and Corporation staff to joyous celebrations and tours of the completed projects and of those that are in progress.
At the opening ceremony for the Atiu Visitor’s Centre, a challenge was made by paramount chief and landowner of the office site, Ngamaru Ariki, to all stakeholders to carefully manage tourism development on the island and ensure that the industry enhances the culture and lifestyle of its people. This challenge was answered by CEO of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, Carmel Beattie, who pledged to make certain that all visitors took with them were photographs and memories and all that they would leave behind were footprints in the sand and a more robust island economy.
The entire community of Atiu gathered for the opening of the visitor’s centre and the blessing of the airport renovations which were the culmination of months of hard work by the people and business community on the island. The celebrations marked the completion of the first phase of the Destination Development Strategy designed to improve the public facilities and amenities available for visitors and funded through the generosity of the Cook Islands supportive partners, NZAid.
Phase One of Destination Development strategy has now been completed with the appointment of the Destination Atiu Officer, the renovation and upgrade of the Airport Terminal and the Visitor’s Information Centre. Phase two, is to create tracks and trails linking sites of significance across the island e.g. historic sites and beach and cave access; and to improve beach rest shelters, island wide signage and interpretation. Enthusiasm and commitment to this phase is so high on the island that following the opening ceremony, the first official tour was made of three historic marae sites. This proved to be the highlight of the visit for all concerned as the history and culture of the island was unveiled to them – for some, for the first time in living memory.
The first stop was the ‘Vai Inano’ Pool, reputed bathing site of the 12 wives of Rongomatane Ariki. Metres away is the uncovered site of ‘Vai Rakaia’ Marae - the royal Court of the Rongomatane tribes. The next site visited was the ‘O-Rongo Marae’ the paramount marae of Atiu and home to the chiefly courts and ruling families of Atiu. Finally a visit was paid to the ‘Paepae o Ake Tairi’ Marae not far from O-Rongo Marae the site of the royal house of female chieftain Ake Tairi. All these marae feature ancient rocks set in place by the ancestors and are either hand hewn from the raised coral reef or are remnants of stalagmites and stalactites found in the caves of Atiu. Thanks to the efforts of the community and the funding of Tourism’s destination development strategy by NZAid, these historical sites are being fully restored and the community now affirms to maintain them for the education and experience of both the local people and visitors.
The communities of Atiu had been working tirelessly during the last two months to ensure that these sites would be ready for a viewing as part of the island wide celebrations. Whilst the clearing, cleaning and initial restoration of these amazing cultural sites is complete the task of documenting their stories and history which is the ‘interpretation’ of these sites now begins in earnest.
“This outcome has highlighted the very best result that we could wish for from the Destination Development Strategy and the reason for our bid to NZAid for the original and ongoing funding” said enthused Corporation CEO, Carmel Beattie. “Practical, meaningful projects, supporting tourism growth and backed by a strong, community buy-in. This is a model for all our future destination projects.”

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
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