The Cook Islands has been named one of the top travel destinations in the world by Flight Centre’s FY24 Global Customer Survey. Ranking as the second most recommended country globally with a 93% satisfaction rate, particularly among visitors from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the UK.

Flight Centre, a global travel industry leader with operations in over 23 countries, conducted the survey. As one of the world’s largest and most reputable travel agencies, Flight Centre serves millions of travellers each year, offering a range of travel services. The brand’s extensive network and deep market insights make its surveys highly influential in the travel industry. The latest survey analysed responses from over 170,000 holidaymakers across its global markets, placing the Cook Islands just behind Portugal, which received a 94% satisfaction rate, and ahead of renowned destinations like Japan and Australia. Notably, the Cook Islands emerged as a top choice for New Zealand travellers, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate - one of the highest among all surveyed destinations.

“This recognition comes at a time as we continue to enhance our tourism offerings, focusing on regenerative visitor initiatives and more authentic experiences,” said Cook Islands Tourism CEO, Karla Eggelton. “It also underscores the dedication of our tourism industry and local community in providing unforgettable experiences for our visitors.”

The survey results highlight several factors contributing to the Cook Islands’ strong appeal, particularly among New Zealand visitors, who appreciate the easy access, short flight time, and shared currency.

Between June 2023 and July 2024, New Zealand visitors accounted for 68% of the market share of arrivals, followed by Australia at 20%. The Cook Islands welcomed a total of 163,552 visitors during this period, with the final three months - April to June - setting new records for visitor arrivals.

In addition to this global recognition, the Cook Islands is celebrating local industry and community champions through the 2024 Cook Islands People's Choice Awards. Guided by the Kia Orana values, this initiative honours individuals and businesses who have been nominated by both visitors and residents for delivering exceptional and authentic experiences. With over 900 nominations received, the awards have attracted significant attention. Voting for the top nominees in the Business and Individual categories will open on Monday, 19 August (CKT), on the @cookislands Facebook page. For more information, visit www.cookislands.travel/pca.

Here are the 10 highest-rated countries for travellers this year:

1. Portugal
2. Cook Islands
3. Australia
4. Japan
5. Spain
6. Singapore
7. Greece
8. Ireland
9. Turkey
10. Vietnam

Here are the 10 highest-rated cities for travellers this year:

1. Perth
2. Brisbane
3. Queenstown
4. Tokyo
5. Christchurch
6. Rarotonga
7. Barcelona
8. Melbourne
9. Rome
10. Vancouver

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