Cook Islands – Sustainable Tourism Development Challenges & Opportunities Cook Islands
What
SW Associates, with Dain Simpson, was contracted by the Asian Development Bank to analyze Cook Islands’ national tourism strategy, core issues, constraints and then recommend project opportunities to address the constraints as part of the ADB Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative.
Activities & Services:
Conducted a comprehensive review of Cook Islands’ tourism sector in terms of visitor profiles, market demand, organizational structures, and available infrastructure.
Analyzed constraints to tourism growth in four main components of an analytical framework:
- Infrastructure (transportation, energy, waste management and water resources)
- Marketing and Product (existing and potential product opportunities and marketing strategies)
- Human Resources (availability of hospitality education and training resources)
- Policy and Investment (policy and regulatory environment, especially in regards to investment)
Results:
The team produced a detail strategy report and issues paper in regards to tourism growth and investment in Cook Islands, which proposed projects in all of the above components of the Framework. These included:
- MICE market expansion
- Lagoon environmental protection
- Reducing energy demand in accommodation
- Hiking trails and cycle path improvements
- Human resource and education facilities improved.
- Credit challenges explored.
