Cook Islands Community Attitudes Towards Tourism NZTRI November 2019 Introduction
• The Cook Islands Community Attitudes Towards Tourism Survey explores the relationships between community and tourism from a number of perspectives including: economic, cultural, environmental and in terms of general quality of life. • Online data collection was run with the support of Cook islands Tourism and Telecommunications provider Bluesky. The survey ran from 9 August to 31 October 2019. 975 responses were collected. Based on the total population aged over 15 (2016 census) of 13,138 the sample size is estimated to be approximately 7% (NB for ethical reasons the survey only targeted those aged 18 and over). • The data is analysed and compared with a focus on the following variables: (1) Cook Island Maori and Non-Cook Island Maori; (2) Age groups; (3) Island of residence (Rarotonga and Aitutaki); and (4) employment type (tourism sector and non-tourism sector). Respondent Characteristics Which of the following best describes you?
80 73 70
60
50
40
Percentage 30 27
20
10
0 Cook Island Maori Non-Cook Island Maori Which of the following best describes you? Age group by CIM/Non CIM
90 85 80 72 70 60 56 50 44 40
Percentage 30 28 20 15 10 0 Cook Island Maori Non-Cook Island Maori 18-29 30-59 60+ Which of the following best describes you? Rarotonga / Aitutaki by CIM/Non CIM
90 78 80 73 70 60 50 40
Percentage 27 30 22 20 10 0 Cook Island Maori Non-Cook Island Maori Rarotonga Aitutaki Which of the following best describes you? Tourism / Non-tourism by CIM/Non CIM
90 79 80 70 66 60 50
40 34 Percentage 30 21 20 10 0 Cook Island Maori Non-Cook Island Maori Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Which of the following best describes you? Cook Island Maori
Born in the Cook Islands, lived overseas and 27 have returned home
Born in the Cook Islands and have never lived 36 overseas
Born overseas and have lived mostly in the Cook 22 Islands
Born overseas, lived overseas and have recently 14 returned to the Cook Islands
0 10 20 30 40 Percentage Which of the following best describes you? Non-Cook Island Maori
60 56
50
40 38
30 Percentage 20
10 6 1 0 Permit holder Resident Visitor Other Which age group are you in?
30 25 25 22 21 20 18
15
Percentage 10 10
5 3
0 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ Which age group are you in? CI Maori / Non-CI Maori 70 63 60 60
50
40 30 30 Percentage 22 20 15 10 10
0 18-29 30-59 60+ CI Maori Non-CI Maori Which age group are you in? Rarotonga / Aitutaki
70 62 59 60
50
40
30 26 Percentage 19 22 20 12 10
0 18-29 30-59 60+ Rarotonga Aitutaki Which age group are you in? Tourism / Non-tourism
70 61 62 60
50
40
30 26
Percentage 23 20 13 15 10
0 18-29 30-59 60+ Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Where do you live in the Cook Islands?
100 90 87 80 70 60 50
Percentage 40 30 20 10 10 1 2 0 Rarotonga Aitutaki Atiu Other Where do you live in the Cook Islands? CI Maori / Non-CI Maori
100 89 92 90 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 20 11 10 8 0 Rarotonga Aitutaki CI Maori Non-CI Maori Where do you live in the Cook Islands? Age group
100 92 90 90 84 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 20 16 10 10 8 0 Rarotonga Aitutaki 18-29 30-59 60+ Where do you live in the Cook Islands? Tourism / Non-tourism
100 92 90 88 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30
20 12 10 8 0 Rarotonga Aitutaki Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Which village do you live in?
Village Frequency Percentage (%) Island Arorangi 180 21% Rarotonga Tupapa 120 14% Rarotonga Nikao 115 14% Rarotonga Titikaveka 93 11% Rarotonga Rarotonga Matavera 88 10% Rarotonga (n=846) Ngatangiia 43 5% Rarotonga Muri 33 4% Rarotonga Takuvaine 32 4% Rarotonga Avatiu 29 3% Rarotonga Avarua 16 2% Rarotonga Vaimaanga 16 2% Rarotonga Atupa 15 2% Rarotonga Tutakimoa 11 1% Rarotonga Which village do you live in?
Village Frequency Percentage (%) Island Ruatonga 9 1% Rarotonga Turangi 8 1% Rarotonga Panama 6 1% Rarotonga Puaikura 6 1% Rarotonga Rarotonga Rutaki 6 1% Rarotonga (n=846) Tikioki 6 1% Rarotonga Avana 4 0% Rarotonga Pue Tapere 3 0% Rarotonga Kiikii 2 0% Rarotonga Parekura 2 0% Rarotonga Takitumu 1 0% Rarotonga Turoa 1 0% Rarotonga Viama 1 0% Rarotonga Which village do you live in?
Village Frequency Percentage (%) Island Amuri 25 29% Aitutaki Arutanga 12 14% Aitutaki Nikaupara 9 11% Aitutaki Aitutaki Reureu 8 9% Aitutaki (n=85) Vaipae 7 8% Aitutaki Tautu 6 7% Aitutaki Ureia 6 7% Aitutaki Vaipeka 6 7% Aitutaki Aratea 5 6% Aitutaki Araura 1 1% Aitutaki Which village do you live in?
Village Frequency Percentage (%) Island
Teenui 4 36 Atiu Atiu (n=11) Areora 3 27 Atiu
Mapumai 3 27 Atiu
Tengatangi 1 9 Atiu Which village do you live in?
Village Frequency Percentage (%) Island
Oneroa 8 57 Mangaia
Other Islands Oiretumu 2 14 Mauke (n=14) Tukao 2 14 Manihiki
Ivirua 1 7 Mangaia
Tetautua 1 7 Penrhyn atoll Community Linkages to Tourism Do you work in or own a 48 business in the tourism Yes sector? 52 No
30 40 50 60 If responded NO Percentage
Do you get any income 19 from tourism? 81 Yes No 10 30 50 70 90
Percentage Do you get any income from tourism (those not working in tourism)? CI Maori / Non-CI Maori
100 89 90 79 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 21 20 11 10 0 Yes No CI Maori Non-CI Maori Do you get any income from tourism (those not working in tourism)? Age group
100 87 90 82 80 74 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 26 18 20 13 10 0 Yes No 18-29 30-59 60+ Do you get any income from tourism (those not working in tourism)? Rarotonga / Aitutaki
90 82 80 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 18 20 20 10 0 Yes No Rarotonga Aitutaki Do you have family members who work in the tourism industry?
33%
Yes No
67% Do you have family members who work in the tourism industry? CI Maori / Non-CI Maori
90 84 80 70 66 60 50 40 34 Percentage 30 20 16 10 0 Yes No CI Maori Non-CI Maori Do you have family members who work in the tourism industry? Age group
90 79 80 75 77 70 60 50 40
Percentage 30 25 21 23 20 10 0 Yes No 18-29 30-59 60+ Do you have family members who work in the tourism industry? Rarotonga / Aitutaki
90 85 80 77 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 23 20 15 10 0 Yes No Rarotonga Aitutaki How often do you talk with tourists?
50 47 45 40
35 32 30 25
Percentage 20 15 10 10 10 5 1 0 Daily Weekly Monthly Almost never Never How often do you talk with tourists? CI Maori / Non-CI Maori
70 59 60
50 42 40 34
30 24 Percentage 20 11 11 9 10 7 2 0 Daily Weekly Monthly Almost never Never CI Maori Non-CI Maori How often do you talk with tourists? Age group 100 90 80 70 60 50 50 44 42 40 Percentage 34 34 30 30 20 11 10 10 11 10 11 10 1 1 2 0 Daily Weekly Monthly Almost never Never 18-29 30-59 60+ How often do you talk with tourists? Rarotonga / Aitutaki
70 65
60
50 46
40 32
30 26 Percentage 20 10 10 10 5 4 1 0 Daily Weekly Monthly Almost never Never Rarotonga Aitutaki How often do you talk with tourists? Tourism / Non-tourism
80 70 70
60
50
40 38
Percentage 30 26 25 20 17 17
10 3 3 2 0 Daily Weekly Monthly Almost never Never Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Attitudes towards Tourism Do you think that tourism is good for the Cook Islands?
2% 5%
Yes No Not sure
93% Do you think that tourism is good for the Cook Islands? CI Maori / Non-CI Maori
100 93 94 90 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 20 10 2 3 5 3 0 Yes No Not sure CI Maori Non-CI Maori Do you think that tourism is good for the Cook Islands? Age group
96 100 94 92 90 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 20 10 5 5 2 3 1 4 0 Yes No Not sure 18-29 30-59 60+ Do you think that tourism is good for the Cook Islands? Rarotonga / Aitutaki
120
98 100 92
80
60 Percentage 40
20 3 5 2 0 Yes No Not sure Rarotonga Aitutaki Do you think that tourism is good for the Cook Islands? Tourism / Non-tourism
100 95 91 90 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 20 5 10 1 3 4 0 Yes No Not sure Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Tourism as a source of pride and direct benefit
60 55
50
40 32 30 26 24
Percentage 20 20 13 13 11 10 4 2 0 Strongly disagree (1) Somewhat disagree Neither agree nor Somewhat agree (4) Strongly agree (5) (2) disagree (3) I feel proud to live in a place that can attract many visitors I benefit directly from tourism Tourism as a source of pride and direct benefit
I feel proud to live in a place that can attract many 4.3 visitors
I benefit directly from tourism 3.5
3.0 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.4 Mean rating Tourism as a source of pride and direct benefit – CI Maori/non CI Maori
I feel proud to live in a place that can attract 4.3 many visitors 4.2
3.4 I benefit directly from tourism 3.9
3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Mean rating
CI Maori Non-CI Maori Tourism as a source of pride and direct benefit – age group
4.5 I feel proud to live in a place that can attract 4.3 many visitors 4.1
3.6 I benefit directly from tourism 3.6 3.5
2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 Mean rating 18-29 30-59 60+ Tourism as a source of pride and direct benefit - Rarotonga/Aitutaki
I feel proud to live in a place that can attract many 4.3 visitors 4.6
3.5 I benefit directly from tourism 3.7
3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 Mean rating
Rarotonga Aitutaki Tourism as a source of pride and direct benefit - tourism/non-tourism
I feel proud to live in a place that can attract many 4.4 visitors 4.2
4.2 I benefit directly from tourism 3.0
2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 Mean rating
Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Tourism and Economic Dimensions Tourism and economic dimensions 70 62 60 48 50 47 43 40 36 32 33 29 30 29 30 28
30 25 26 27 Percentage 20 17 17 15 17 14 12 8 9 10 10 6 7 5 8 8 7 2 3 3 4 3 0 Strongly disagree (1) Somewhat disagree (2) Neither agree nor Somewhat agree (4) Strongly agree (5) disagree (3) Tourism is good for the Cook Islands economy My standard of living has improved because of tourism Everyday life is more expensive because of tourism House and rental prices have increased due to tourism It is a challenge to find long term rentals as property owners are opting to rent short term for more money Tourism creates more jobs for local people New foreign owned tourism businesses should be restricted Tourism is good for the Cook Islands economy 4.4
It is a challenge to find long term rentals as property 4.2 owners are opting to rent short term for more money
Tourism creates more jobs for local people 4.1
New foreign owned tourism businesses should be 3.9 restricted
House and rental prices have increased due to tourism 3.8
My standard of living has improved because of tourism 3.6
Everyday life is more expensive because of tourism 3.1
2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Mean rating 4.3 Tourism is good for the Cook Islands economy 4.4 New foreign owned tourism businesses should be 4.1 restricted 3.4 It is a challenge to find long term rentals as property 4.1 owners are opting to rent short term for more money 4.4 4.1 Tourism creates more jobs for local people 4.4 3.7 House and rental prices have increased due to tourism 4.2 3.5 My standard of living has improved because of tourism 3.9 3.0 Everyday life is more expensive because of tourism 3.2
2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5
Mean rating
CI Maori Non-CI Maori 4.3 Tourism is good for the Cook Islands economy 4.3 4.5 4.1 Tourism creates more jobs for local people 4.1 4.3 It is a challenge to find long term rentals as property 4.0 4.2 owners are opting to rent short term for more money 4.2 New foreign owned tourism businesses should be 3.7 4.0 restricted 4.0 3.7 My standard of living has improved because of tourism 3.5 3.9 3.7 House and rental prices have increased due to tourism 3.8 3.9 3.2 Everyday life is more expensive because of tourism 3.0 3.0
2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 Mean rating
18-29 30-59 60+ 4.4 Tourism is good for the Cook Islands economy 4.4
It is a challenge to find long term rentals as property 4.3 owners are opting to rent short term for more money 3.7
4.1 Tourism creates more jobs for local people 4.4
New foreign owned tourism businesses should be 3.9 restricted 4.2
3.9 House and rental prices have increased due to tourism 3.3
3.6 My standard of living has improved because of tourism 3.8
3.2 Everyday life is more expensive because of tourism 2.6
2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Mean rating Rarotonga Aitutaki 4.5 Tourism is good for the Cook Islands economy 4.3
4.3 Tourism creates more jobs for local people 4.0
It is a challenge to find long term rentals as property 4.2 owners are opting to rent short term for more money 4.2 3.9 My standard of living has improved because of tourism 3.4
3.9 House and rental prices have increased due to tourism 3.8
New foreign owned tourism businesses should be 3.8 restricted 4.1 3.0 Everyday life is more expensive because of tourism 3.1
2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
Mean rating
Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Tourism and Environmental Dimensions Tourism and environmental dimensions
40 36 35 29 30 31 30 26 23 23 23 25 22 23 21 21 20 18 18 18 16 17 17 15 14 15 13 13 12 Percentage 11 10 10 5 0 Strongly disagree (1) Somewhat disagree Neither agree nor Somewhat agree (4) Strongly agree (5) (2) disagree (3) Our environment is damaged because of tourism A visitor environment tax should be imposed Our roads and infrastructure are kept at a higher standard because of tourism It is overcrowded because of tourism The Cook Islands needs more tourists A visitor environment tax should be imposed 3.5
Our environment is damaged because of tourism 3.3
The Cook Islands needs more tourists 3.1
Our roads and infrastructure are kept at a higher 3.1 standard because of tourism
It is overcrowded because of tourism 2.9
2.8 3.0 3.2 3.4 3.6 Mean rating 3.5 A visitor environment tax should be imposed 3.5
3.3 Our environment is damaged because of tourism 3.5
3.2 The Cook Islands needs more tourists 3.1
Our roads and infrastructure are kept at a higher 3.1 standard because of tourism 3.1
2.9 It is overcrowded because of tourism 2.9
2.5 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.7 Mean rating CI Maori Non-CI Maori 3.6 A visitor environment tax should be imposed 3.5 3.5
3.3 The Cook Islands needs more tourists 3.1 3.0
3.3 Our environment is damaged because of tourism 3.4 3.3
Our roads and infrastructure are kept at a higher 3.2 3.1 standard because of tourism 3.2
3.1 It is overcrowded because of tourism 2.9 2.8
2.5 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.7 Mean rating 18-29 30-59 60+ 3.5 A visitor environment tax should be imposed 3.5
3.4 Our environment is damaged because of tourism 2.7
3.1 The Cook Islands needs more tourists 3.5
3.1 It is overcrowded because of tourism 2.0
Our roads and infrastructure are kept at a higher 3.1 standard because of tourism 3.5
2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mean rating Rarotonga Aitutaki A visitor environment tax should be imposed 3.4 3.6
Our environment is damaged because of tourism 3.3 3.4
The Cook Islands needs more tourists 3.2 3.0
Our roads and infrastructure are kept at a higher 3.1 standard because of tourism 3.1
It is overcrowded because of tourism 2.9 3.0
2.5 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.7 Mean rating
Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Tourism and Cultural Dimensions Tourism and cultural dimensions
45 40 39 38 35 31 29 30 27 28 26 24 25 24 25 22 23 19 18 18 20 16 16 17 14 Percentage 15 12 8 8 9 10 6 6 5 0 Strongly disagree (1) Somewhat disagree Neither agree nor Somewhat agree (4) Strongly agree (5) (2) disagree (3) Tourism has made me more aware of the culture and traditions of the Cook Islands Contact with tourists brings opportunities to learn from other cultures Tourism revives culture and/or traditions There is a loss of culture, language and traditions because of tourism I have experienced an increase in crime and bad behaviour because of tourism Contact with tourists brings opportunities to learn 3.8 from other cultures
Tourism revives culture and/or traditions 3.6
Tourism has made me more aware of the culture and 3.4 traditions of the Cook Islands
I have experienced an increase in crime and bad 2.8 behaviour because of tourism
There is a loss of culture, language and traditions 2.5 because of tourism
2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mean rating Contact with tourists brings opportunities to learn from 3.8 other cultures 3.9
3.5 Tourism revives culture and/or traditions 3.8
Tourism has made me more aware of the culture and 3.3 traditions of the Cook Islands 3.7
I have experienced an increase in crime and bad 2.8 behaviour because of tourism 2.7
There is a loss of culture, language and traditions 2.6 because of tourism 2.3
2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mean rating CI Maori Non-CI Maori Contact with tourists brings opportunities to learn from 4.1 3.7 other cultures 3.8
Tourism has made me more aware of the culture and 3.8 3.2 traditions of the Cook Islands 3.4
3.7 Tourism revives culture and/or traditions 3.5 3.6
There is a loss of culture, language and traditions because 2.9 2.5 of tourism 2.3
I have experienced an increase in crime and bad 2.7 2.8 behaviour because of tourism 2.8
2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Mean rating 18-29 30-59 60+ Contact with tourists brings opportunities to learn from 3.8 other cultures 3.9
Tourism revives culture and/or traditions 3.6 3.7
Tourism has made me more aware of the culture and 3.4 traditions of the Cook Islands 3.6
I have experienced an increase in crime and bad behaviour 2.8 because of tourism 2.3
There is a loss of culture, language and traditions because 2.6 of tourism 2.5
2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mean rating
Rarotonga Aitutaki Contact with tourists brings opportunities to learn from 4.0 other cultures 3.6
Tourism revives culture and/or traditions 3.8 3.4
Tourism has made me more aware of the culture and 3.6 traditions of the Cook Islands 3.1
I have experienced an increase in crime and bad 2.7 behaviour because of tourism 2.8
There is a loss of culture, language and traditions 2.5 because of tourism 2.6
2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Mean rating
Tourism sector Non-tourism sector I would like to share my culture and values with tourists
10%
Yes No
90% I would like to share my culture and values with tourists CI Maori / Non-CI Maori
100 93 90 82 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 18 20 10 7 0 Yes No CI Maori Non-CI Maori I would like to share my culture and values with tourists Age group
120
100 95 89 89 80
60 Percentage 40
20 11 11 5 0 Yes No 18-29 30-59 60+ I would like to share my culture and values with tourists Rarotonga / Aitutaki
120
100 97 90
80
60 Percentage 40
20 10 3 0 Yes No Rarotonga Aitutaki I would like to share my culture and values with tourists Tourism / Non-tourism
100 95 90 86 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 20 14 10 5 0 Yes No Tourism sector Non-tourism sector I am aware of the Kia Orana Values programme.
17%
Yes No
83% I am aware of the Kia Orana Values programme CI Maori / Non-CI Maori
90 85 79 80 70 60 50 40
Percentage 30 21 20 15 10 0 Yes No CI Maori Non-CI Maori I am aware of the Kia Orana Values programme Age group
90 85 81 78 80 70 60 50 40 Percentage 30 22 19 20 15 10 0 Yes No 18-29 30-59 60+ I am aware of the Kia Orana Values programme Rarotonga / Aitutaki
90 84 79 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 21 20 16 10 0 Yes No Rarotonga Aitutaki I am aware of the Kia Orana Values programme Tourism / Non-tourism
100 90 86 80 80 70 60 50
40 Percentage 30 20 20 14 10 0 Yes No Tourism sector Non-tourism sector I am willing to be a Kia Orana Ambassador
31%
Yes 69% No I am willing to be a Kia Orana Ambassador CI Maori / Non-CI Maori
80 71 70 62 60
50
40 38 29 Percentage 30
20
10
0 Yes No CI Maori Non-CI Maori I am willing to be a Kia Orana Ambassador Age group
80 73 70 64 60 58
50 42 40 36
Percentage 30 27
20
10
0 Yes No 18-29 30-59 60+ I am willing to be a Kia Orana Ambassador Rarotonga / Aitutaki
90 80 80 70 67 60 50 40
33 Percentage 30 20 20 10 0 Yes No Rarotonga Aitutaki I am willing to be a Kia Orana Ambassador Tourism / Non-tourism
80 75 70 62 60
50
40 38
Percentage 30 25 20
10
0 Yes No Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Tourism and Information Access Tourism and information access
45 41 40 36 36 35 32 30 27 27 25 24 19 21 20
Percentage 15 10 11 10 6 5 5 3 3 0 Strongly disagree (1) Somewhat disagree Neither agree nor Somewhat agree (4) Strongly agree (5) (2) disagree (3) I feel well informed about tourism I would like to have more information about tourism I have opportunities to express my views about tourism Tourism and information access
I feel well informed about tourism 3.8
I would like to have more information about 3.7 tourism
I have opportunities to express my views about 3.5 tourism
3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Mean rating Tourism and information access – CI Maori/non-CI Maori
3.8 I feel well informed about tourism 3.7
3.7 I would like to have more information about tourism 3.7
I have opportunities to express my views about 3.6 tourism 3.4
3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4.0 Mean rating
CI Maori Non-CI Maori Tourism and information access – age group
3.8 I feel well informed about tourism 3.8 3.7
3.8 I would like to have more information about 3.7 tourism 3.7
3.5 I have opportunities to express my views about 3.5 tourism 3.6
3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Mean rating 18-29 30-59 60+ Tourism and information access – Rarotonga/Aitutaki
3.8 I feel well informed about tourism 3.8
I would like to have more information 3.7 about tourism 4.1
I have opportunities to express my 3.5 views about tourism 3.7
3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Mean rating
Rarotonga Aitutaki Tourism and information access – tourism/non-tourism
3.9 I feel well informed about tourism 3.7
3.8 I would like to have more information about tourism 3.7
I have opportunities to express my views about 3.6 tourism 3.5
3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4.0 Mean rating
Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Open-ended responses to ‘further comments’ question Further comments
When asked if you would like to share any other comments, 36% of those surveyed responded. The first slides show who provided comments, and who did not, using four different dimensions: (1) Cook Island Maori and Non-Cook Island Maori (2) Age group (3) Island of residence (Rarotonga and Aitutaki) (4) Employment (tourism sector and non-tourism sector). We then explore key themes in the comments. Further Comments provided - CI Maori / Non-CI Maori
120
100
80 63 65 60
Percentage 40
20 37 35
0 CI Maori Non-CI Maori Giving comments No comments Further Comments provided – age group
120
100
80 50 50 47 58 72
60 79 Percentage 40
50 50 53 20 42 22 28 0 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ Giving comments No comments Further Comments provided - Rarotonga / Aitutaki
120
100
80 65 59 60
Percentage 40
20 35 41
0 Rarotonga Aitutaki Giving comments No comments Further Comments provided - Tourism / Non-tourism
120
100
80 56 66 60
Percentage 40
44 20 34
0 Tourism sector Non-tourism sector Giving comments No comments Themes identified (% of all comments made)
Suggestions on Don't blame Positive Negative Neutral Appreciation of tourism tourism or comments comments comments being asked development tourists
68% 41% 38% 2% 2% 2%
Suggestions on tourism development Negative comments Marketing 16% Tourists’ behaviours and numbers 34% Infrastructure improvement 15% Positive comments Government strategies and regulations 13% Well done tourism 27% Environment impacts 19% Sustainable tourism development 12% Positive economic impacts 19% Social issues 8% Balance culture and economic benefits 11% Being proud of CI 19% Local people’ attitude and services 7% Education referring to tourism 10% Tourists’ positive impacts 13% Economic impacts 7% Tourists education 5% Good willing to contribute 8% Cultural impacts 5% More opportunities & priorities for locals 5% Positive environment impacts 6% Political issues %and regulations 5% More events or activities 3% Positive cultural impacts 4% General concerns 3% More training for local businesses 3% Infrastructure development 1% More connections 2% Housing and renting 2% Accommodation related regulations 2% Infrastructure 2% Foreigners (worker and owner) 2% Stop over-developing tourism 1% More opportunities for outer islands 2% Positive comments
• Tourism has become well known in the cook island and I proud to say that without tourism people all over the world wouldn’t know about our piece of paradise... its nice to see tourist enjoying there holidays in our country. • Tourism is very important for the Cook Islands in many ways such as the Economy of the country. For example, it provides employment, shares cultures and other benefits. • Tourism not only change peoples lives it also gives opportunity to those who is in need. So I may say tourism is a part of our day lives whether we are in business industry or just in the confront of our place. Because from nothing to something that’s all thanks to tourism. • We clearly benefit greatly from tourism in the Cook Islands economically and it is an important economic driver to maintain. • I am proud of my country when tourists choose to come here, and also when I hear good and positive comments from them. • Tourist are complying with our cultural ways and customers. • Look after tourism for the future generations. • Tourism helps some of us keep our islands clean because we want to make a good impression on others about our home. • Tourism industry is great and doing awesome work to bring tourists into our country. • Tourism has done more than more for this country, keep up with the good work. Negative comments
• Tourism numbers are too high and now have an overall negative impact on the country. • Environmental issues have been caused by the large number of tourists visiting the Cook Islands. • Those buses driver they should be friendly not only for those tourist as well as workers. Coz they are front liners who always encounters tourist. As what i observe some of them are rude. They should use what we call hospitality. Smile is d best first impression of d tourist. • Also the impact on the housing market means rental prices have been driven up and availability is very limited. • Tourism is our future but we must have regulations to control its impact. • Whether they well informed about the culture, important about some dress codes and keep safe, stay safe, and road rules. • I think it is a shame that so many foreigners own tourism businesses. • Overall tourism has increased social inequality, loss of culture and environmental destruction- this needs serious consideration and to be brought under control. Meitaki. • The substantial cost of long term renting is another existing issue due to tourism making staying in Raro very difficult for some. Suggestions on tourism development
• All tourist properties need to be inspected and rated every year and the ratings advertised. • More promotion and affordable travel to the outer islands - they offer a very different type of holiday and their beauty should be shared. • We also need to implement a local price/tourist price situation like many other tourism heavy countries I have visited, this is easy enough done and tourists are generally understanding. • Cook Islands tourism also need to stop promoting Rarotonga with photos of Aitutaki. Aitutaki should be promoted as its own destination not a day trip. • Better infrastructure is needed in order to deal with the rise in tourism numbers. • Tourism is good to a limit but must be controlled to a point that is sustainable. • Government get lots of tax and aid and should be spending more on infrastructure for both locals and Tourists • Balance growth of Tourism with Environment and retention of traditional practices to avoid exploitation, its the environment we have given our limited land space. • Educating our young ones. • it is important for local community to benefit and to not have lots of profit head off overseas. Don't blame tourism or tourists
• We lost our language & culture thru education a long time ago. Don't blame the tourists. The crime rate in increased when they started sending our bad kids back from Australia & New Zealand. Tourism is very good for the country. Bring it on. • Cost of living for most people I know is very high and struggling to put food on the table, not because of tourism. • Tourism is the backbone of Cook Islands economy, it has a good and bad side , but many of the issues that bother us in the Cook Islands we must look at within ourselves and not lay blame on others. • A lot of negative things happening on our island, we cannot blame the tourists. Sometimes it’s the tourists that keep our place clean. • its easy to blame tourists for the feeling of overcrowding and visible damage to our roads and environment, but as a country I believe that we need to invest ourselves into the infrastructure and planning of our land and resources in order to accommodate both our visitors and locals. Neutral comments
• Tourism brings both positive and negative influences. We also must look after tourists and visitors to the country. Tourism is a major drive to the country's economy.
• There are both positive and negative impacts to tourism but if handled properly we will benefit greatly from it.
• Very hard to experience these questions because we hardly have tourist come to Mangaia. I don’t see anything happening on Mangaia because of tourism. Tangike. Appreciation of being asked
• Manea note teia au tuatua akakite.
• Good survey.
• Great survey guys keep up the good work.
• Thanks for having this opportunity to fill out this survey form... Kia Orana e Kia Manuia. Thank you!
Simon Milne [email protected] www.nztri.org.nz Authors: Simon Milne, Jin Yi, Mindy Sun