Transcript
The Titikaveka MP Sel Napa has said the signs are there that the current infrastructure and utilities in Rarotonga are not able to cope with the high number of tourists.
In a statement from Ms Napa, she said the Asian Development Bank had warned that roads, power, water, sewerage and solid waste disposal facilities needed to be upgraded.
"If we don't have the infrastructure and utilities in place, we shouldn't be encouraging ever increasing tourism. It doesn't make sense."
But Finance Minister Mark Brown says Ms Napa is misinformed.
Mr Brown says tourists arrivals have always been high and the government's policy on promoting tourism has managed comfortably to accommodate the large numbers coming in.
"We acknowledge that there are issues around supply of water, energy requirements and sanitation and the government has been involved in the long term plan to upgrade the water system on Rarotonga now for the last five years. We're on stage two of our major water project, which is increasing the capacity and quality of water supply through our intakes. We're in program of engaging in renewable energy right across our country, so the government has taken on board the issues around increase tourism numbers to put into place significant investment to accommodate that increase use of public infrastructure." 0:31
The ambassador for the Marae Moana marine conservation park Kevin Iro says the increasing number of tourists does put pressure on the environment.
But he says the government has been proactive in looking into areas of water, sanitation, recycling and waste, but they need to move faster.
"I believe we're just about at capacity now, so it is a case of the government putting in these measures. They want to be really concentrating hard on getting our water up to scratch. Really getting a reticulated sewerage system in place. I know that the phase one of that's going to happen in Muri, which is the main tourist hub. They really have to put some work into the recycling and the solid waste because while they're doing that, obviously if they are going to allow more tourists accommodation to be built, it's got to be balanced." 0:29
Mr Brown says the government is ensuring the environment is protected from the increased numbers and it will continue to be a priority.
He says he has noticed arrivals are also starting to spread out from the peak to the shoulder months, and also heading out to the outer islands.
Mr Iro agrees.
"We've found there's been a steady amount of tourists coming right through the year, so obviously with 150,000 tourists, it had to be spread out now because there are months where just about every bed is full on the island. It is good for the economy. It's good for the industry, but there are concerns certain people have regarding the environment. We're very concerned with the environment and the ecosystems that are getting affected by the influx of more tourists."
Ms Napa also accepts that tourist arrivals are now steady throughout the year but she says that still increases the pressure.
"When are we going to draw the line and say, okay, we've got enough coming here. Let's maintain that number and not go out and aggressively market for more and more tourists to come to our shores."
A total of 146,473 visitors arrived in the Cooks last year and Mark Brown says he expects that number to reach to 160,000 this year.
