Cook Is tourist operators confused by travel bubble delay

The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, has expressed his confidence at establishing a travel bubble with New Zealand by May, but officials here have remained noncommittal. During the first visit by a head of state since the Covid-19 border closure, Mr Brown said his delegation had come with the aim of firming up a date for the bubble and - despite any reticence from New Zealand officials - he was happy with progress so far and confident of opening up in May. He said without a bubble by the end of the year, private sector tourism operators - many of whom invested millions of dollars into their product - stood a real risk of losing their investments due to lack of income. Nathan Rarere spoke with Cook Island's Tourism Industry Council President Liana Scott.