2 Apr 2010

Complaints prompt audit of Cooks Tourism Corporation board

1:57 pm on 2 April 2010

The Cook Islands Audit Office has confirmed it's investigating the board of the Tourism Corporation.

The Audit Office director, Paul Allsworth says following complaints, they have launched an investigation into the chair, Tata Crocombe, and other board members.

This comes amid industry dissatisfaction at Mr Crocombe's performance and the resignations of three key personnel since he began his tenure at the beginning of the year.

The departing staff cited Mr Crocombe as a factor in their decisions to leave.

It's alleged Mr Crocombe used Corporation-funded travel to promote his own resort properties with travel wholesalers.

Meanwhile, the board is under pressure from the industry to produce the new marketing strategy that it says it wants the Corporation to take.

The board says it's planning to hire a public relations professional to counter the criticism.