Position: Regenerative Tourism Coordinator
Division: Destination Development
Reports to: Regenerative Tourism Manager
Location: Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Deadline: Wednesday 22 July 2026, 5pm CKT
Applications to: [email protected]

Regenerative tourism is about balance.

The Cook Islands are not just a destination. This is the place we call home. Regenerative tourism asks how tourism can support our people, respect our culture, care for our environment and contribute to a stronger economy, while creating visitor experiences that are meaningful, responsible and grounded in our values.

As Regenerative Tourism Coordinator, you will support work that brings this into practice. This includes Mana Tiaki, our shared responsibility to care for and protect our people, culture, environment and place, alongside visitor contribution, community and culture initiatives, environment and place management, industry partnerships, research, reporting and communications.

This role is for someone who understands that good tourism is built on relationships, trust and respect. It will suit someone who cares deeply about the Cook Islands and wants to help tourism reflect the values of our people.

About The Role

The Regenerative Tourism Coordinator supports the delivery of regenerative tourism programmes and projects across the Cook Islands.

You will help coordinate work that encourages visitors, tourism operators, communities and partners to contribute positively to the social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of the Cook Islands. The role is varied, practical and people-focused, with a strong emphasis on partnership, coordination, communication and care for our people and place.

You will work closely with the Regenerative Tourism Manager and the wider Destination Development team to support initiatives across Mana Tiaki, community and culture, visitor contribution, industry contribution, environment and place management, research, reporting and supplier coordination.

How This Role Makes An Impact

This role helps tourism give back to the Cook Islands.

It supports initiatives that encourage visitors, industry, communities and partners to care for our islands and contribute positively to our people and place. Through Mana Tiaki, visitor contribution, community-based tourism, cultural storytelling, partnerships, industry engagement and place-based projects, the role helps bring regenerative tourism into practical action.

The impact is meaningful: stronger community connection, better visitor understanding, greater care for our environment, more values-led tourism and work that supports the wellbeing of our people, our culture, our environment and our economy.

What You Will Be Doing

Regenerative Tourism Initiatives
Support programmes and projects that help tourism contribute positively to our people, culture, environment and economy.

Mana Tiaki And Visitor Contribution
Support initiatives that encourage visitors and tourism businesses to care for the Cook Islands, including visitor give-back opportunities, community programmes and Mana Tiaki-related work.

Community And Culture
Support work that helps tourism reflect and respect Cook Islands culture through community engagement, cultural content, Kia Orana Values, community-based tourism and cultural storytelling.

Environment And Place Management
Assist with projects that help protect and care for areas of natural, cultural and social significance, including visitor impact, conservation partnerships and place-based initiatives.

Industry And Partnerships
Work with tourism operators, government agencies, community groups, NGOs, funders and delivery partners to support regenerative practices and shared tourism outcomes.

Communications And Storytelling
Prepare content, updates, key messages, case studies and stories that help share regenerative tourism work clearly and professionally.

Research And Reporting
Gather feedback, support visitor and community insights, prepare updates, track progress and contribute to reporting.

Project And Supplier Coordination
Support planning, timelines, budgets, invoices, procurement, contractors and delivery partners where required.

About You

We are looking for someone organised, thoughtful, professional and relationship-focused.

You may already be working in tourism, environmental sustainability, social development, community development, culture, communications, project coordination, hospitality, stakeholder engagement or a similar role.

You do not need to know everything from day one, but you do need to be curious, respectful, practical and willing to learn.

This role will suit someone who enjoys variety, builds trust easily and cares about tourism that reflects who we are, protects what we love and gives back to the Cook Islands.

What You Will Bring

The successful applicant will demonstrate:

• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• A good understanding of tourism and/or regenerative practice
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• The ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines
• Confidence working with communities, operators, government agencies, partners, internal teams and suppliers
• The ability to work independently with limited supervision
• A professional, friendly and impartial approach
• Strong written communication and proofreading skills
• Confidence using office software, including word processing, spreadsheets, email and databases
• A positive, practical and solutions-focused attitude
• An interest in community wellbeing, culture, environment, visitor contribution and place-based tourism
• A genuine passion for the Cook Islands and tourism that benefits people and place

Experience with CRM systems, PR, communications, design or content development would be an advantage. Experience in destination development, sustainable tourism, customer experience development, environmental sustainability or social development would also be an advantage.

Qualifications And Experience

Applicants should have:

• Experience or a tertiary degree/equivalent level of learning in a related field
• At least two years’ experience in tourism and/or environmental sustainability or social development practices
• Competency in speaking and writing in English
• Cook Islands Māori would be an advantage
• Experience in destination development and/or sustainable tourism would be an advantage
• Experience in customer experience development would be an advantage

Why Join Cook Islands Tourism?

This is a chance to contribute to the future of tourism in the Cook Islands from the community, culture, environment and visitor contribution side of the work.

You will help support tourism that gives back to the people and place that make the Cook Islands special. Your work will help strengthen community wellbeing, cultural connection, environmental care, industry practice and meaningful visitor experiences.

You will also be joining a team that values collaboration, professionalism, accountability and pride in our islands.

How To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your experience, skills and why you are interested in joining Cook Islands Tourism as Regenerative Tourism Coordinator.

Applications should be sent to: [email protected]

Applications close: Wednesday 22 July 2026, 5pm CKT