Cook Islands to offer homestay
One of the Cook Islands most remote sister islands, Mitiaro, has opened the first of its homestay accommodation options.
The island now offers three homestay kikau huts hosted by local Mitiaro families.
The homestay development, initiated by Cook Islands Tours and the Mitiaro community with the support of Cook Islands Tourism, is the only accommodation option on the island – a 45 minute flight from the capital Rarotonga.
Each villa has one or two bedrooms, shower and toilet facilities and guests are catered for by the hosting family.
Seven more huts and a two-bedroom family unit are due to open within the next three years.
Local fresh food served to guests will include seafood and yams.
Mitiaro is the only island of the 15 that make up the Cook Islands to offer homestay accommodation.
"For the people of Mitiaro this is a unique form of tourism and a true point of difference from the sister islands," says Metua Vaimene, special projects manager for Cook Islands Tourism.
"Homestays are a sustainable way for the 180 Mitiaro locals to preserve their distinctive rural lifestyle, their history and the culture of this precious little place.
"There are less than 10 cars on Mitiaro and the pace of life is something that deserves to be cherished and needs to be protected. Homestay accommodation ensures these remain intact."
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments