The completion of another successful training series this time with Alidays, a tour operator based in Milan, Italy was made possible with the support of Cathay Pacific. Alidays currently promotes a 7-night stay package when booking a New Zealand or Australia holiday.

The training events are designed to offer agents a unique experience, held in exceptional locations such as country houses or historic venues, to provide an immersive showcase of the Cook Islands through storytelling, says Nick Costantini, CIT Southern Europe Representative. One distinguishing feature of these events is the use of the venue itself to emphasise the concept and value of Mana Tiaki. Instead of conventional projectors and large screens, iconic images and drone footage are presented on tablets placed in front of each agent at the dining table. This approach has proved a significant success, as noted by Nick Costantini, allowing for focused engagement with select agents. These relationships can then be nurtured through ongoing communication via newsletters and webinars in the months ahead.

Looking forward, the next cluster of events is scheduled for later in April and May, featuring the participation of two additional wholesalers. The success of this format has led to plans for replication in France and Spain during the latter half of 2024.