Cook Islands People's Choice Awards Top Finalist Announced!
Cook Islands People's Choice Awards Top Finalist Announced!
To mark World Tourism Day this year, Cook Islands Tourism (CIT) launched the Cook Islands People’s Choice Awards an initiative to identify and celebrate those from our tourism community who have gone above and beyond expectation when delivering experiences. With nominations running for several weeks CIT closed nominations on the 11 October receiving over 600 nominations with a total of 112 nominees identified.
Following a vetting process of all nominations CIT can now reveal the top finalist for the Cook Islands People's Choice Awards. The finalists were selected based on total number of nominations received per nominee.
List of Nominees:
| Business | Individual |
|---|---|
| Ariki Adventures | Aberahama Tauta |
| Cafe Jireh | Alfred Story |
| Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes | Claire McErlane |
| Castaway Resort | Evelyn Henry |
| Club Raro Resort | Florence Syme-Buchanan |
| Cook Islands Tours Progressive Dinner | John Young |
| Edgewater Spa & Resort | Kerry Robinson & Kathy Wilson |
| Etu Moana Boutique Beach Villas | Kii & Vaea Maoate |
| Game Fishing Rarotonga | Maria Henry |
| Go Local Cook Islands | Meari Goddard |
| Koka Lagoon Cruises | Mike Chase & Temu Banaba |
| Kutekute Tours & Transfers Aitutaki | Mirella Mairi |
| Malia Photography | Mona Taio |
| Manuia Beach Resort | Nane Herman-Purea |
| Muri Night Market | Ngametua Mamanu |
| Ocean Toa Cook Islands | Papatua Papatua |
| Pacific Resort Rarotonga | Paul Stevens |
| Palm Grove | Phillip Nordt |
| Papa Turtle | Ruth Mave |
| Raro Fishing Charters | Stephen & Poppy Doherty |
| Tai Marino Beach Bungalows | Tevaerangi Nia (Rangi) |
| The Black Pearl Beach Side Apartments | Trish Tau |
| The Vaka Cruise | Tum Temata |
| Tumutoa Tours | Vero Naivalu |
| Weddings with Florence Tia | Xaeon Henry |
“Congratulations to all our finalists for their well-earned top recognition. It is good to see a variety of tourism business types and sizes being recognized alongside individuals who contribute to various roles and our Kia Orana Values within the tourism industry. The competition now heats up as we move to voting for our winners of the 2023 Cook Islands People’s Choice Awards –business and individual category”, says, Noeline Mateariki, Director of Sales & Marketing Next steps from here will be opening up the voting to determine who the winners will be in both the business and individual categories. Voting opens online at 12 noon today and will remain open for two weeks closing on the 27 October, 2023. To vote, visit the Cook Islands Tourism official Facebook page and cast your vote by simply liking the image of your preferred top finalist, individual and business. Every 'Like' serves as a vote, so go and show your support! Please note that Likes on a shared post will not be counted. The winners will be announced on 01 November across all CIT official channels.
Winners with receive the following prize packs Business category - 2023 Cook Islands People’s Choice Award wins a Marketing & Promotion package to the value of $3,000 supported by Cook Islands Tourism. Individual category - 2023 Cook Islands People’s Choice Award wins an ‘Experience’ prize package to the value of $1,500 and recognition as a Kia Orana Ambassador!
Make your 2023 People’s Choice known by ensuring you cast your vote.
For more information on the 2023 Cook Islands People’s Choice Awards and how to vote visit our website HERE.
