Cook Islands Enter Into A Marriage Of Convenience
It’s more of a de facto relationship but the union works very well for both parties.
Peter Kurivita a chef with more than three decades of experience was looking for a sea change. SBS Television was in the market for a lifestyle food presenter to travel the islands and host cooking/travel programs. What a great fit!! Next, Cook Island Tourism offers Peter and his crew a commission to produce a segment on what everyone in the know calls The Cooks. Another great fit.
Earlier this week ‘The Cooks’ invited a select group of travel agents and media to Kuruvita’s restaurant, Flying Fish on Jones Street Wharf in Sydney, for a Cooks update hosted by CEO Carmel Beattie. Kuruvita the owner/ former chef/now TV host has just finished a series of programs on ‘The Cooks’ on SBS and there’s more to come.
Cook Island CEO Carmel Beattie, GM Kerryn Cook (not named after the Islands) and Peter Kuruvita with his TV program as a backdrop.
TOO MANY COOKS CERTAINLY DON’T SPOIL THE ISLANDS
Kerryn Cook, GM Australia, told the casual gathering the overall arrivals for the Island were up 15% year on year and in two years the visitation has increased by more than 40%.
‘The Cooks’ expect the tourism numbers to rise with increased exposure with a road-show in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in April 2013 and in conjunction have commissioned Cinema and TV ads highlighting the magnetism of the islands.
Accolades to the three speakers, Kerryn, Carmel and Peter; Not one of them had a single note during their presentations and they imparted all the information figures and all without a stumble. That certainly doesn’t happen often.
The 15 islands lie halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and are scattered across 2.2 million square kilometers of ocean.
True Polynesians are known as the finest seafarers of the Pacific, voyaging across its huge waters searching for new lands and beginnings. Their bravery, skill and sheer strength far outpace those of the legendary adventurers from Portugal or Spain, the Dutch or the English.
The marriage of ‘The Cooks’ and Kuruvita’s whilst not being made in heaven was certainly made in the Cook Islands.
Written by : John Savage
