Cooks' tourism operators welcome vistors, tough times await

Let's begin this morning in the Cook Islands.. where tourism operators say they'll face a tough Christmas despite the return of tourists from New Zealand as borders to other countries remain closed. Air New Zealand will fly to Rarotonga daily from July, but business owners say it won't bring in the pre-pandemic influx of tourists from North America. Antonia Poa is the manager of Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes, a company offering daily four hour tours including swimming, snorkelling and a barbeque lunch. She told Nick Truebridge about her new normal. Steve Lyon bought Rarotonga's Beachfront Bar and Brasserie just five months ago, after the previous owners of 30 years retired.