Cook Islands Tourism transformed the recent Go!Careers Expo at the Are Karioi Nui with an eye-catching pink booth drawing a wave of interest from students seeking exciting career opportunities in the Cook Islands tourism industry.

The vibrant booth offered students the chance to learn more and register their interest in two highly regarded Cook Islands Tourism programs:

Cook Islands Tourism Internship Programme: This program provides students with valuable hands-on experience working at Cook Islands Tourism’s head office before venturing on to apply what they’ve learnt by participating in an internship or work placement with a local tourism business.

Cook Islands Tourism Leadership Programme (CITLP): This is the recently launched scholarship opportunity that combines academic learning with hands-on experience. It encompasses 6 months study at Queenstown Resort College in New Zealand, then a practical internship in Rarotonga.

Adding a personal touch, current CITLP recipients Rakiki Brown and Kubethreana Taripo, who have just completed the first six months of the programme were present at the booth. They shared their experiences with prospective students, who were eager to learn about the scholarship programme. They will be based at the Tourism office for 2 weeks before diving into their 6 month internship with the award winning Pacific Resort Hotel Group.

"We were thrilled with the enthusiastic response we received at the Go!Careers Expo," said Tina Kae, Industry Development Manager at Cook Islands Tourism. “Events like this are crucial for connecting with future tourism leaders. It was great to engage with students and let them know about the wealth of opportunities to build a fulfilling career in tourism."

Beyond career information, the Cook Islands Tourism booth was a hive of activity with exciting giveaways. Students got to test their knowledge about the Cook Islands through fun quizzes and games. These covered topics like Kia Orana Values, sustainable tourism practices, the different tourism sectors and the breath of work done at Cook Islands Tourism.

The team also launched a unique social media competition to win a laptop bundle where students curate and submit a TikTok or Reel explaining why they ‘Love’ the Cook Islands. Submissions close 4pm Thursday 20th June and the winner will be drawn and announced this Friday 21 June via the Kia orana Values Facebook page.

Jean Nootai, Industry Development Coordinator at CIT, said “Engaging with and seeing the students’ excitement was truly inspiring. We are really looking forward to receiving the students creative TikTok/reel entries and welcome keen talent into our internship programme.”

For more information about the social media competition or internship programmes, please contact Jean Nootai, Industry Development Coordinator at Cook Islands Tourism [email protected].