Cook Islands Agritourism Policy Setting Workshop 2018
Policy Setting for Improved Linkages Between Agriculture, Trade and Tourism:
Strengthening the Local Agrifood sector and Promoting Healthy Food in Agritourism
Workshop Programme Organised by the Government of Cook Islands
In collaboration with and Pacific Community, CTA, PIPSO and SPTO
Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25-26th September 2018
Tuesday 25th September 2018
8h30-9h00 Registration
9h00-9h15 Opening Address
Patrick Arioka – Associate Minister of Agriculture
Address from CTA – Mereia Volavola
Housekeeping and introductions by the Moderator – Stephen Lyon
9h 15-11h Session 1: Setting the scene: what do we know about opportunities to support linkages between agriculture, health and tourism
This session will set the scene on the opportunities that the tourism sector can bring and the needed linkages with other sectors such as agriculture and trade. It will look at successful models in other parts of the world and what could of interest to Cook Islands agritourism policy.
Moderator: Cook Islands ( Potential names to be provided by Cook Islands Counterparts)
– Setting the scene: Agritourism Development, Current Status and Opportunities for Cook Islands
William Wigmore – Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture
– Global trends and evolution of agritourism and food tourism
Mereia Volavola – for CTA [presentation]
– Tourism Opportunities for Development in Cook Islands
Chris Cocker – CEO, SPTO [presentation]
– Agribusiness Development in Cook Islands
Teresa Manarangi-Trott – Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce [presentation]
11h00-11h15 Coffee Break
11h15-13h00: Session 2: Cook Islands Context: Opportunities for Agritourism Development
This session will look at the Cook Islands context. It aims at reaching a better common understanding of the opportunities in agritourism in Cook Islands. It will assess the situation in the key areas important to set up an agritourism policy.
Moderator: Cook Islands (potential names to be provided by Cook Islands counterparts)
– Overview of tourism development and opportunities for greater connection with the agriculture industry at policy level
Halatoa Fua – Cook Islands Tourism Corporation [presentation]
– Overview of main agricultural and fisheries fresh and processed products with potential for the tourism-related markets an exports
Stephen Hazelman – SPC Rep
– Developing the Tourism Market for Cook Islands – What is currently being done and future opportunities?
Metua Vaiimene – Cook Islands Tourism Corporation [presentation]
13h00-14h00 Lunch
14h00-16h00 Session 3: Identification of priority Areas for Development for Agribusiness and Agritourism
14h00 – 16h00 Identification of Priority Areas for development and support for Agribusiness and Agritourism Development
This session will discuss key areas in agribusiness and agritourism that are priority for development support and present specific examples of what can work and already identified in the Cook Islands Agriculture Sector Plan. Furthermore to identify how development support can be better tailored in the local context.
– Agribusiness key priority areas for support
Ewan Smith – Local grower [presentation]
– Opportunities for support to build quality seafood supplies
TBC – Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources
– Developing Agritourism Attractions, Tours and Handicrafts
Stan Wolfgram – Te Ara Museum
16h00-17h30 Session 4 Working groups
Break out into groups and discuss each of the 3 areas to identify key elements of the strategy/policy on agritourism and proposed actions. Identify 3 or 4 key areas for priority development and support
Wednesday 26th September, 2018
9h00-13h15 Session 5: Promoting Agritourism through Value Addition, Value Chains and Safety standards
9h15-11h00
– Building Sustainable Value Chain for Agritourism – What needs to be done?
Kylie Stice/ Lavenia Kaumaitotoya, PIFON
– Supporting Farmers and Farmers Organisations
Don Buchanan – Growers Association
– Product Development (Value Additions), Market Access and Food Safety Standards/Certifications
Apiame Cegumalua – HACCP Australia Expert [presentation]
– Value adding through product development
Robert Wyllie – Rito Cook Islands [presentation]
11h00-11h15 Coffee Break
11h15 – 13h15 Session 6: Chefs for Development: the link between agriculture & cuisine
This session will look at the role of chefs and the hospitality sector in stimulating demand of local products and its use by chefs. It will share experiences from other regions.
– Building Food Tourism in Cook Islands – Why it is important and what can be done? This slideshow could not be started. Try refreshing the page or viewing it in another browser.
Greg Cornwall