The vital nature of regenerative tourism

A Q&A with Cook Islands Tourism Director of Destination Development,

Director of Destination Development for the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, Brad Kirner, leads a team dedicated to ensuring a high-quality visitor experience, while also optimising the benefits visitors bring to the Cook Islands. Having recently moved from New Zealand to Rarotonga with his young family, Brad offers a distinctive perspective both as a visitor and someone who has the ‘inside word’ on what makes tourism in the Cook Islands tick.

Cook Islands Tourism is committed to integrating sustainable and regenerative tourism into the country’s visitor experiences.

Q1 What does regenerative tourism mean in the Cook Islands?

Regenerative tourism refers to how tourism - both travellers and industry - can positively contribute to the wellbeing of a destination. Put simply, it's about leaving the people and place of your holiday destination better off than you found it. In the Cook Islands we refer to this responsible, mindful stewardship as 'mana tiaki', a term that translates as ‘the power or duty of a guardian’. Cook Islanders have been living by these principles for generations. When you live in such a small place with limited resources, being a mana tiaki is pretty much non-negotiable.

Q2 How will travellers, the tourism industry and the locals participate?

There are two components of a regenerative approach: minimising the potential negative impacts associated around locally owned and produced goods and services. For conservation, minimise your water, waste and energy use, support environmentally-minded businesses and get involved with conservation activities. Be respectful of the local people, their culture and traditions. Help community (social) wellbeing though involvement with community projects, events and 'voluntourism' activities. Attend cultural shows, buy local arts and crafts, and take a cultural tour! with tourism activities, and maximising the potential positive impacts. Tourism is unique in that it has the ability to impact or influence almost all aspects of a community, and it can act as a huge benefactor economically, environmentally, socially, and culturally.

Q4 Is there a good role model for regenerative tourism already in the Pacific region?

Q3 What can visitors do to advance the success of regenerative tourism in the Cook Islands?

Through the '4C's of wellbeing': Commerce, Conservation, Community, and Culture. For commerce, spend more (please), spread your hard-earned money

It's great to see regenerative tourism being talked about more and more, not just in the Pacific but around the world. We have some amazing local operators that have been practising 'regenerative tourism' for a while now. I'd encourage readers to look up 'Regenerative Tourism' on our website (www. cookislands.travel) to learn more.

Q5 What are the long-term benefits for the Cook Islands from the regenerative tourism strategy.

You will start to see more regenerative tourism guidance and tangible 'on-the-ground' opportunities for visitors to become a mana tiaki during their time here. Our job at Cook Islands Tourism is to develop and showcase regenerative experiences so that visitors have the opportunity to enjoy and contribute towards them while visiting our little paradise.