Cook Islands Tourism spoiled industry folk with canapés and wine by the water last night as the Group revealed an all new line-up of market developments last night at the Flying Fish in Pyrmont, Sydney.

Speaking at the event, the tourist bureau’s chief executive Carmel Beattie told guests that Australia remains one of the Islands’ largest markets and even surpassed New Zealand arrivals into the Cooks earlier this year.

Hoping to maintain “incredible growth”, Ms Beattie along with the bureau’s Australia general manager Kerryn Cook said the Group had launched a new consumer marketing approach that will see a move into TV and cinema ads.

 Shooting the new ads on location later this month, Ms Cook said the commercials will air on highest rating free-to-air TV and will expose up to six million people to the Cook Islands offerings.

Although launching consumer promotions yesterday, the Cook Islands featured in two episodes of SBS’ Island Feast with Peter Kuravita.

With the first episode airing last week, 12 July and the second on 19 July from 8.00pm, viewers are taken on a journey with the Celebrity Chef, Peter Kuravita, as he showcases the Islands’ self-sufficient attitude through the creation of entire meals using ingredients caught and prepared in the region.   

“The Cook Islands took me by surprise, the beauty is amazing,” he told guests last night at his sea-side restaurant.

“I don’t think I could have been taken to a place more special, it has everything from beautiful markets with real people serving real fresh foods to surf.”

Check out a few snaps from last night below or click here to read more on the Cook Islands promotion plans.