Cook Islands Tourism has accepted the resignation of CEO Carmel Beattie at the end of a two and a half year stint at the helm of the Corporation.

The Board of the Corporation has now begun the search for a General Manager with Director of Finance Halatoa Fua acting in the post while the recruitment process is completed.

The Board expressed its appreciation of the flair and effort Carmel has put into the operation during her tenure that has seen Tourism transformed into a well structured organisation expanded to cover a wide range of responsibilities over and above destination marketing and public relations.

The global travel industry is undergoing a state of constant sweeping change. Restructuring of the executive management position will see the role of CEO split into a General Manager's position with responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Corporation's business affairs.

A second contract position will focus on the strategic positioning of the Cook Islands tourism industry with a particular emphasis on the Northern Hemisphere markets, including Asia, through the Sydney and Los Angeles gateways.

The Cook Islands Government presently underwrites the country's direct long haul air access on those routes which are crucial to building year round visitor flows.

Karla Eggelton retains responsibility for Sales and Marketing, and Metua Vaiimene, Destination Development.