Brad Kirner, Director of Destination Development at Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, recently represented the Cook Islands at the Sustainable Tourism Enhancement in the Pacific (STEP) Regional Validation Workshop, held in Suva, Fiji from 23–24 April 2025. The workshop—hosted by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and SWITCH-Asia—brought together more than 50 delegates from across the Pacific to shape a regional roadmap for embedding sustainability, circular economy, and responsible growth into national tourism strategies.

Brad played an active and visible role throughout the workshop. He was a featured speaker during the Showcasing Innovation in the Pacific panel, where he shared insights into the Cook Islands’ shift toward destination stewardship, including the importance of industry leadership, cross-agency collaboration, and community engagement. As Chair of the SPTO Sustainable Tourism Sub-Committee, he also contributed to key technical discussions that helped validate priorities for STEP Phase 2 and align them with the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Standards.

His participation ensured that the Cook Islands’ perspectives—especially on governance, local empowerment, and practical implementation—were reflected in the final recommendations. The workshop also provided valuable opportunities to reconnect with regional partners, development agencies, and technical advisors, laying the groundwork for future collaboration and funding support.

The Cook Islands continues to play a leading role in the Pacific’s transition to more sustainable and inclusive tourism—anchored by the values of mana tiaki and the vision of a thriving, resilient tourism sector that delivers benefits for people, place, and culture.