Cooks Want Tourists

Without Tears

From a Rarotonga Correspondent

How far can Rarotonga go in attracting tourists without >sing its self-respect? The beautiful main island of the Cooks as recently found itself in this dilemma.

R. J. A. Ingram told the Rarotonga Island Council that the Chamber of Commerce was xis to stimulate the tourist in :y, and had discussed the pros of publishing a booklet for :1 agents and others. But be lt went ahead it wanted to r if the council supported tour- If it did support it, the iber wanted to know whether ouncil would help with the cost brochure, and whether it would in getting more ships and sts to the island. e council, after lengthy dis 3n, decided to vote £5O to the iber to assist in the publication e tourist booklet, but agreed to the question of tourism gener ic the incoming council (which elected a week later).

Discussion Points

ring the discussion some coun s made it clear that they did avour “glamourising” the island aurists. They wanted the pre arrangement where concert shore parties went aboard st ships in the stream, and the island atmosphere remained )iled. ae councillors also said they 2d shore parties chosen from

various villages, and not just the same two parties every time.

The council president, Resident Commissioner A. O. Dare, pointed out that tourism did not mean just a vessel calling. He said tourism could mean hotels being set up, in dustry for curios, more employment, etc. A number of people were pre pared to put money into enterprises to attract tourists, but they were

waiting for a lead from the council, he said.

Mr. Dare agreed that the better type of tourist was wanted, and he said that the Minister, Mr, Gotz, was very much in favour of tourists.

Mr. Dare added that the question appeared to be whether the Raro tonga Council could encourage tourists “and the island still retain its self-respect.” j

Bright Prospects

Meanwhile, an Auckland report says the prospect of establishing a tourist industry in the Cook Islands seems brighter today than it has since the Union Steam Ship Com pany discontinued its trans-Pacific passenger ship service in the 1930’5.

The Matson Line certainly seems to be taking Rarotonga under its tourist wing, and is opening up the possibility of passengers south bound from the United States hav ing a three-weeks’ stopover at Raro tonga if they so desire—and there seems very little doubt that a good many would desire, if the accom modation is available ashore.

Though Matson is not yet accept ing bookings to Rarotonga—due to the fact that with no harbour avail able there is always the possibility of passengers having to be over carried in bad weather —regular

Because Rarotonga has no wharf, tourists as a rule don’t come ashore from the big ships—so the Cook Islanders go out to them. Here is a concert party which recently went out to entertain 600 tourists, mostly Australian, who arrived on the “Oranje.”

Photo: R. D. Moore

calls continue to be made and far It has not been necessary to pass the island.

Latest move in what appears be a Matson plan to give furt tourist publicity to Rarotonga a: port along this route, is an app for high quality photograph thousands of them, including coL negatives—of Rarotonga life a scenery, suitable for publicity p poses.

The two dancing teams whi have had the monopoly as ent tainment parties for visiting sh are from the Aitutaki Youth C and from the Titikaveka You Women’s Centre. They take it turns.

New Incomes

With the Matson visits, islai families are getting a new source income. They are making gc money by weaving fans, hats, hi skirts and paper eis. This is a giving young people incentive practise local crafts.

The post office continues to good business with stamps, and 1 Press Office has a standing on for 200 copies of the Cook Islar News each time a ship comes in But, as Resident Commissioi Dare suggests: How do you deve] large-scale tourism in this isla without making concessions in otl ways?