15 Aug 2011

Cook Islands tourism working hard to cash in on Rugby World Cup

5:58 pm on 15 August 2011

The Cook Islands Prime Minister says the tourism sector is trying to maximise opportunities to attract New Zealand's Rugby World Cup visitors to his country.

Henry Puna made the comment during a three-day visit to New Zealand, his first as Prime Minister.

Following a meeting with the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who said topics covered during a wide-ranging discussion included tourism and renewable energy, Mr Puna added that the Cook Islands is making the most of the rugby tournament.

"To try and tap into the visitors to New Zealand for the World Cup. Some of them might come through the Cook Islands on the way here or on the way back. And we hope to see some of them in the Cook Islands."

Henry Puna says the Cooks Islands tourism authorities are working very closely with Air New Zealand to make that happen.