Kia Orana spirit was in full force for the Little Piece Of Paradise that is The Cook Islands this week, as Aussie travel agents were treated to a series of educational breakfast functions in Sydney and Melbourne.
Highlighting this week’s Sydney’s event held at the Four Points by Sheraton in Chippendale, up to 60 travel agents gathered for a sizzling hot breakfast to hear from key presenters representing the most iconic of the Cook Islands’ being Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
Hosted by Matt Brookfield, Sales Ambassador for Cook Islands Tourism, key hoteliers were introduced to share with agents what makes the Cook Islands so unique. Participating hoteliers included The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, Sanctuary on the Beach and Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort, Manuia Beach Resort, Edgewater Resort and Spa, Cook Islands Holiday Villas, Pacific Resort Hotel Group and Tamanu Beach Resort.
Agents were also notified of a current industry offer of return airfares with Air New Zealand’s direct service from Sydney to Rarotonga on the economy ‘works fare’ from $529* for industry and from $629* for up to 3 companions. Travel agent accommodation deals were also distributed at the event.
Left to Right Matt Brookfield (Cook Islands Tourism Australia), Paul Lynch (Cook Islands Holiday Vilas), David Lyons (Horizons Cruise & Travel), Peta Kensit (Flight Centre Business Travel), Lydia Tariu Simonis (Former Miss Cook Islands in the Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association), Maria Debole (Travel Australia Centre), Mereana Taruia (Edgewater Resort Rarotonga), Jake Chiem (Travelcation).
Following presentations travel agents dropped their business cards into a lucky holiday box for the chance to win a range of Cook Islands offerings. Prizes included a Cook Islands hamper with bottle of wine from Pacific Resort Hotel Group, an accommodation voucher for 5 nights at Cook Islands Holiday Villas, plus two self famil trips including return international airfares on Air New Zealand’s direct Sydney to Rarotonga service, plus accommodation vouchers at The Edgewater Resort and Spa for 6 nights and Moana Sands Lagoon Resort for 3 nights.
Prizes were won by David Lyons of Horizons Cruise & Travel, Peta Kensit from Flight Centre Business Travel, Maria Debole from Travel Australia Centre, and Jake Chiem from Travelcation.
“Cook Islands Tourism continues to see numbers out of the Australian market increase year on year, as a result of the great support from our travel agent partners. We’re thrilled to continue to educate and connect with the market. Our sales team hope to expand on Cook Islands training sessions throughout the year to include Brisbane and Canberra, plus potential regional markets including Newcastle in the following year,” said Cook Islands Tourism, Marketing Manager, Crystal Kranz.
Agents seeking further information on travelling to the Cook Islands – see www.cookislands.travel. Cook Islands Tourism also has a travel agent e-newsletter to keep the industry in the loop on the latest deals and island offerings.
.jpg){kind=tracking}