Cook Islands continues to gain international recognition as one of the finest tourism destinations in the world.
The country was bestowed with the Global Traveler Magazine’s “Best Island in the Pacific Rim 2016” award at the magazine’s 4th Annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards held at the Sofitel at Los Angeles Beverley Hills.
Cook Islands beat Bali, Bora Bora, Tahiti, Okinawa, Phuket, The Big Island (Hawaii), Hong Kong, Maui (Hawaii) and Japan to win this award.
Prime Minister Henry Puna received the award on behalf of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation from the magazine publisher and chief executive officer Francis X. Gallagher.
“We’re honoured to be voted the best island in the Pacific by Global Traveler,” Puna said
“With a warm Kia Orana, we look forward to welcoming Traveler readers to visit us and share this paradise we call home.”
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation director of destination development Metua Vaiimene said the award would raise the profile of the country as one of the top tourism destinations in the world.
“This award represents international recognition for our outstanding tourism products and experiences, by our travel trade and media partners in the North America market,” Vaiimene said.
“Winning this award will help to raise the profile and awareness of the Cook Islands in the vast markets of North America and across the world.
“The northern hemisphere remains as key source markets for visitors to the Cook Islands, especially as they have a greater propensity to travel to our sister islands.
“Together as a destination, we should be very pleased to have won the award for ‘Best Island in the Pacific Rim 2016’ from Global Traveler Magazine, and the promotion and publicity that comes with it.”
With nearly 250,000 readers, Global Traveler Magazine connect with United States-based frequent, affluent international travelers.
According to MediaMark Research (MRI), the leading producer of media and consumer research in the U.S., Global Traveler Magazine readers have an annual household income of US$372,900.
About 50 per cent of the magazine’s readers are chief executive officers and owners of companies.
Global Traveler Magazine readers average nine international flights per year, mostly in first and business class and 15 domestic flights annually.
More than 40 awards, including the best leisure destinations, cruise lines, resorts and islands, were presented at the Annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards.
The magazine in a statement said nominations in each category came from Global Traveler’s elite globility board as well as highly experienced magazine staff.
From these nominations, Global Traveler’s esteemed advisory board selected the final winners.
Launched in 2012, Global Traveler’s globility board consists of well-traveled subscribers who act as a direct link between the magazine, clients and the readers.
“These savvy world travelers serve as a conduit for information about our readers’ interests and insights in leisure travel that goes far beyond the data we can garner from our surveys and research. Our advisory board comprises well-traveled executives from a variety of industries.”
Cook Islands Tourism general manager North America John Petersen and head office marketing manager Christian Mani also attended the awards.