The cohort was hosted by Emma Kainuku, Regenerative Tourism Coordinator, Jean Nootai, Industry Development Coordinator, and Aaron Lassey, Digital Manager. Their collective expertise provided invaluable insights into the tourism industry and the diverse roles within CIT.

They imparted an understanding of various departments, our broader vision, and mission, anchored in our values of Kia Orana, Meitaki, and Mana Tiaki. They emphasized the significance of the ‘Love our Little Paradise’ brand and its profound implications.

Jean and Emma provided insights into the ongoing projects within the Destination Development team, highlighting their progress and impact.

Aaron delved deeper into how AI has revolutionized the digital marketing landscape, showcasing real-life examples of the impactful content recently created by Destination Marketing.

Emma, Jean, and Aaron also shared their personal career journeys, reflecting on their experiences and their passion for promoting the Cook Islands as a premier travel destination. They provided a pragmatic view of the sector’s challenges and successes.

A highlight of the visit was an interactive problem-solving session, where students collaborated to devise strategies to make tourism an enticing career choice for young Cook Islanders and to address potential funding gaps for ongoing projects. Their innovative solutions included targeted school outreach programs and exploring alternative funding avenues such as crowdfunding and partnerships with local businesses.

Emma Kainuku praised the cohort, stating, "Interacting with these young leaders brought us fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to some of our current challenges. Their creativity and problem-solving was remarkable."

The Future Leaders Academy’s leadership course focuses on developing capabilities among senior high school students from New Zealand, Australia, and the Cook Islands, fostering confidence, decision-making skills, and cross-cultural connections.

Cook Islands Tourism eagerly anticipates future collaborations with the Future Leaders Academy, continuing to inspire and mentor the next generation of leaders. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the academy and its team for selecting our beautiful islands as the backdrop for this transformative experience.