Cook Islands Tourism is committed to ensuring a more sustainable and regenerative approach is taken when it comes to our tourism offering. We want to empower our visitors, our tourism industry, and our community to help improve the holistic well-being of our people and island homes, both now and for future generations.
We can achieve this by finding ways in which we can help our visitors not only have a fulfilling experience during their time here, but that also provides them the ability to leave our little paradise better than they found it.
The idea of sustainability and regeneration is nothing new for the Cook Islands people - it is something that we have been practicing naturally for generations. What has changed is the mindset and interests of our visitors.
Travel has always been about seeking adventure, learning opportunities, and connection with others. On top of this, travelers are now more than ever wanting to use their travel experience to help make a positive difference to the people and places they are visiting. It is up to us as hosts to make the most of the opportunity to improve everyone's wellbeing through regenerative travel.
Examples of Regenerative Travel Experiences:
Eco-tourism: Involves visitors enjoying areas of environmental significance with the aim of learning about and helping conservation efforts for that environment.
- Marine Conservation: Boating, diving or snorkel trips combined with conservation efforts (e.g.,species identification, invasive species removal, population surveys)
- Forest/Land Conservation: Guided hikes learning about or participating in conservation efforts (e.g., native species replanting, invasive species removal)
Community-based tourism: Involves visitors interacting with the host community with the aim of benefiting the local economy and preserving cultures and traditions.
- Agro-Tourism: Visiting rural farmers/produce operations to learn about local sustainable production methods (e.g., farm visits, factory tours)
- Traditional Arts & Craft: Learning about, experiencing and/or buying items from local artists or suppliers (e.g., village markets, museums, cultural performances)
- Community Development: Interaction and cultural exchange with local communities (e.g., visits to local villages, schools or retirement homes)