Te Mato Manava Tūroto Celebrates Te Marama o te Manava Tūroto — Tourism Month 2026
Tourism is more than the places we visit — it is shaped by the people who create meaningful experiences, pass on knowledge, protect what makes our islands special, and open new pathways for those who will carry the industry forward. This September, Te Mato Manava Tūroto (Cook Islands Tourism Corporation) is dedicating an entire month to celebrating them.
Te Marama o te Manava Tūroto — Tourism Month 2026 runs from 1–30 September and brings together three programmes under one shared theme: Te Iki'anga a te Iti Tangata (People's Choice Awards), Vaine Manava Tūroto o te Marama (Tourism Woman of the Month), and Te Arata'a o te Pae Tūroto (Youth Tourism Pathway Programme). Tourism Month went live online on Tuesday 1 September across the corporation's website and social channels. It builds on the success of these established programmes now in their fourth year, showcasing the very best of tourism in the Cook Islands.
“Tourism Month brings our values of Kia Orana, Meitaki and Mana Tiaki to life — through the warmth of our welcome, the outstanding hospitality, and dedicated service we deliver, and the care we take of our culture, environment and islands,” says Karla Eggelton, CEO of Te Mato Manava Tūroto.
“Each year, these programmes go from strength to strength, celebrating excellence across our industry while creating opportunities for its future. From recognising our Kia Orana Champions and unsung heroines to developing emerging talent and digital capability, we're recognising achievements of the best in our industry, while opening doors to new ideas, skills and opportunities for the next generation.”
What's new for 2026?
This year introduces a new Innovation Icon category within the People's Choice Awards, recognising individuals who bring fresh ideas and new approaches to tourism. Innovation can mean finding better ways to deliver services, embracing useful tools, or blending traditional knowledge with modern approaches.
A Digital Tourism Capability Programme will help tourism operators strengthen their websites, online listings and social media presence, improving how they connect with visitors and showcase their businesses.
The reimagined Te Arata'a o te Pae Tūroto Youth Tourism Pathway Programme builds on the existing Tourism Scholarship, connecting school engagement, further education and industry experience to help young Cook Islanders explore careers in tourism. Together, these developments connect with World Tourism Day on 27 September and its 2026 theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, through practical opportunities to build skills, embrace innovation and improve tourism services.
What's on during Tourism Month 2026
Te Iki'anga a te Iti Tangata (People's Choice Awards)
Public nominations and voting will recognise Kia Orana Champions across the tourism sector, celebrating outstanding hospitality, service and contributions to the visitor experience.
Nominations run from 12pm on 1 September to 12pm on 8 September.
Public voting from 12pm on 15 September to 12pm on 22 September.
Winners will be celebrated on 25 September.
Vaine Manava Tūroto o te Marama (Tourism Woman of the Month)
Created in collaboration with Te Kumiti Au Vaine, this initiative honours the extraordinary contributions of women across the industry. Past recipients include Maeva Taruia-Henry (2025), Connie Halligan (2024) and Pai Chambers (2023). This year's theme, Unsung Heroines, recognises a woman whose contribution to Cook Islands tourism often goes unseen. It shines a light on women working quietly in front-of-house and behind-the-scenes roles, whose years of dedicated service help keep our tourism industry running and our visitors feeling welcome. The 2026 Tourism Woman of the Month will be announced on 23 September and celebrated at The Islander Hotel in Rarotonga on 30 September.
Te Arata'a o te Pae Tūroto (The Pathway to Tourism)
Te Mato Manava Tūroto's youth tourism pathway programme helps young Cook Islanders discover the opportunities available within tourism and take their first steps towards a career in the industry.
Through school engagement, scholarships, further education and industry experience, the programme offers different ways to explore tourism and develop skills. The 2025 Tourism Scholarship recipients, Ellenoah Oti and Abel Thompson-Papai, are currently studying at AUT with support from Air New Zealand and Pacific Resort Hotel Group. The next scholarship round opens on 29 September.
Tourism Month reflects Te Mato Manava Tūroto's commitment under Te Kaveinga Mana Tiaki o te Ipukarea — the Destination Stewardship Plan — to ensure tourism benefits our Cook Islands people, culture and environment.
For more information and to follow Tourism Month, visit www.cookislands.travel/tourism-month
