Cook dinner Islands bubble ‘catastrophe’ for NZ tourism with out Australia bubble, Queenstown mayor says

Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult says the Cook Islands travel bubble would be a “disaster” for local tourism if the Trans-Tasman Bubble does not open within two months.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Prime Minister Mark Brown of Cook Islands announced on Friday that they are work towards a travel bubble by May.

Ryan Anderson / things

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is greeted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand.

With the Cook Islands being Covid-free, Ardern says there is a risk that those leaving New Zealand will carry the virus to the Cook Islands, and Kiwis “have a lot of responsibility” to get it right.

Boult said the number of Cook Islanders visiting New Zealand would not replace the number of kiwis leaving.

CONTINUE READING:
* * Emotional scenes as the first quarantine-free flight from Rarotonga land in Auckland
* * First quarantine-free flights from Rarotonga to New Zealand “pretty full,” says the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
* * Mike Pero’s new airline, Pasifika Air, is expected to launch flights to Rarotonga in June

“Assuming we get a trans Tasman bubble, I’ll be fine with the Cook Islands bubble. But it would be a disaster for the regions if we didn’t get the tourists from Australia to educate the outgoing New Zealanders, ”said Boult.

“I will be closely following the April 6 announcement for a travel bubble with Australia.”

Boult said a three-way bubble with the islands and Australia would be ideal.

SCOPE OF DELIVERY

Entrepreneur Mike Pero says he is “in no rush” for his new airline, Pasifika Air, which will be the first to fly to the Cook Islands after it was announced that the New Zealand-Cook Islands travel bubble would begin in May.

Entrepreneur Mike Pero said he was “in no rush” its new airline business Pasifika Air being the first in the Cook Islands after it was revealed that a travel bubble could only be months away.

Pero said the news is positive for both countries but his airline won’t fly until June as it is pending certification.

“It’s good news. We will be here for the long term and in no rush to get to Rarotonga first, ”said Pero.

There are currently Easy drive allowed by Rarotonga, which started in January, with no quarantine required for newcomers to New Zealand.

Air New Zealand was Operation of quarantine-free services from the Cook Islands to New Zealand.

Greg Foran, CEO of Air New Zealand, said an “enormous” amount of work was going into preparing a quarantine-free voyage to and from the Cook Islands.

Kavinda Herath / things

Greg Foran, CEO of Air New Zealand, says an “enormous” amount of work is being put into preparing a quarantine-free voyage to and from the Cook Islands.

“The Cook Islands have a very special place for New Zealanders and Air New Zealand. Cook Islanders are more than a haven of outstanding natural beauty. They are always warm and welcoming, ”said Foran.

“There will be thousands of people who will come home and see friends and family or take a break in the sun. We look forward to reuniting them with this island paradise and giving the local economy a much-needed boost. “

Preparing the travel bubble included hiring and retraining more than 300 flight attendants, a number of airport staff and ground handlers.

Far North Mayor and former Cook Islands High Commissioner John Carter said the news was a “positive first step towards normalcy”.

“While the Cook Islands will be an attraction for some, we find that the far north is still popular with travelers from Auckland. In the long run this has had a positive impact on us with more visitors from the Cook Islands and a step towards normalcy, ”said Carter.

“We have Cook Island families in Northland and the far north, and there will be people eager to see their Whanau.”