The head of Cook Islands Tourism Cooperation Halatoa Fua has been appointed interim chairperson of the Pacific Tourism Organisation or SPTO.
CEO of Cook Islands Tourism Corp, Halatoa Fua Photo: RNZI / Sally Round
This comes after chair David Vaeafe vacated his position as head of American Samoa Visitors Bureau late last year and his deputy Felicity Bollen resigned as chief executive of Niue Tourism this week.
SPTO CEO Christopher Cocker welcomed Mr Fua's appointment, saying he had been working within the Cook Islands tourism sector for 10 years.
Mr Cocker said Mr Fua also had vast experience in the Pacific including work in Kiribati and Tonga.
He said the new chair comes into effect on 1 May.
Mr Cocker said Mr Fua's aspirations and vision for the organisation included its transformation to become a global leader in sustainable tourism.
He said this would also add significant value and purpose to member countries and private sector members.
Felicity Bollen is leaving to take up a new role at New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Auckland.