Cook Islands’ stunning natural beauty and incredibly friendly and welcoming culture have made the country one of the top destinations in the world.
Photo: Cook Islands Tourism
The growing international recognition for the Cook Islands as one of the top tourist destinations has earned another credible mention after the country was named one of the 20 best places to travel in 2026 by BBC Travel.
Tourism is the major economic driver, contributing about 70 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, and it is on track to record the highest number of visitors this year.
Cook Islands’ stunning natural beauty and incredibly friendly and welcoming culture have made the country one of the top destinations in the world.
Now it has earned its spot in the BBC journalists’ top destinations this year, the only South Pacific country to make the cut, alongside the likes of Uluru (Australia), Abu Dhabi, Ishikawa (Japan), Colchagua Valley (Chile) and Uruguay.
Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Karla Eggelton says it’s encouraging to see the Cook Islands included in BBC Travel’s top 20 places to visit in 2026, and alongside many deserving destinations shortlisted from thousands of choices worldwide.
“For a small nation, this recognition reflects the care and effort that goes into presenting the best of who we are,” Eggelton said.
“This recognition also belongs to the local businesses and communities who host visitors every day and focus on delivering genuine, high-quality experiences. Their commitment to our culture, environment and people is what shapes how visitors experience the Cook Islands, and that remains our focus going forward.”
According to BBC Travel, in this year’s guide to the best places to travel, they are highlighting destinations that offer incredible experiences while using tourism to support local communities, protect the environment and preserve their unique cultural heritage.
To compile the list, BBC tapped its staff, “our trusted journalists and some of the world’s leading sustainable travel authorities to identify places that are enthusiastically welcoming visitors – and where your trip can have a positive impact”.
The Cook Islands have been hailed as a new access to a paradisiacal Polynesian nation.
“A new wave of barefoot luxury stays is transforming the islands and 2026 will see a major step up in cultural and environmental preservation. Custodians of Marae Moana – one of the world’s largest marine parks – are strengthening protections for its most significant sites,” BBC’s Craig Tansley wrote.
“In Aitutaki, three motu (islets) in its pristine triangular lagoon now have special status. The government has also delayed deep-sea mining research until at least 2032. On land, Rarotonga’s sacred Maungaroa Valley – currently on Unesco’s Tentative List – teems with rivers and tropical rainforests that have never been developed.”