A tourism economist says tourism can be a bigger driver of the Cook Islands economy than it is now.
Albert Stafford told the Cook Islands News that there was a need to encourage a broader market mix as New Zealand would remain the main source of visitors.
Mr Stafford said finding partnership opportunities with local landowners and ensuring only sustainable development was important.
He said there was also a need to ensure Cook Islanders were offered investment and development first as part of social and cultural considerations.