Visitor arrivals to the Cook Islands have soared yet again, reaching an all time high of 161,362 last year.
Air Rarotonga planes Photo: FB Air Rarotonga
61 percent of the visitors were New Zealanders, followed by Australians and British. Visitors from the United States jumped 35 percent.
The rise in visitors has brought an extra US$23 million which has been welcomed by tourism companies and the government.
But while the growth has brought more visitors and income, concerns have been mounting in the Cook Islands about its sustainability, especially on Rarotonga.
A recent government reports has suggested that the country's infrastructure was not up to the task of handling high visitor numbers, which could ultimately threaten the industry.
The government is planning upgrades and environmental safeguards, but some opposition parliamentarians want a cap on visitor numbers.