5 Aug 2020

Travel bubble needed to preserve jobs in Cook Islands

From , 6:01 am on 5 August 2020

The Cook Islands Tourism Industry Committee says a travel bubble with New Zealand needs to be open by next month to ensure people there remain employed. 

Its president Liana Scott told FirstUp the Cooks small population means they cannot rely on domestic tourism. 

The Cook Islands' government wage subsidy has kept many people in employment there up until now, but it is due to end in late September

With Australia grappling a second wave of Covid-19, a Pacific bubble has emerged as the strongest option for New Zealand. 

In fact Auckland Airport announced yesterday that the international terminal will be split into two seperate zones in preparation for a travel bubble - but New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern remained cautious when speaking at her final post cabinet address this term. 

Liana Scott, who's also the general manager of the 30 room Muri Beach Club Hotel in Rarotonga, spoke with Indira Stewart about the prime minister's remarks. 

Kayaks at Muri Beach on Rarotonga, the largest island in the Cook Islands.

Photo: AFP