Cook Islands in the South Pacific Provide Appropriate Dress Guidelines via Newsletter and Twitter
"When Wearing Swimwear Outside the Beach, Cover Your Body with Cloth"
The famous tourist destination, the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, appealed to tourists to dress appropriately. The photo shows a Cook Islands Twitter post containing guidance on attire. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The Cook Islands, an island nation located in the South Pacific, has appealed to tourists visiting the area to dress appropriately.
On the 21st (local time), according to New Zealand media such as 1news, the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation stated in a recently published newsletter that many residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the attire of some tourists. The tourism corporation said in the newsletter, "Tourists should dress appropriately in public places, especially in villages or churches, to avoid offending local customs." It added, "Tourists should at least carry a pareo (a rectangular piece of cloth wrapped around the waist like a skirt) and cover themselves when wearing swimwear outside of beaches or pool areas," warning, "Sunbathing nude or topless may cause discomfort to residents."
A related post was also made a few days ago on the official Cook Islands Twitter account. In the tweet, the author 'Cook Islands' said, "In this little paradise, you are family. But like any family, there are rules to follow at home. Please show respect by dressing appropriately. If you are unsure, wear a stylish pareo or traditional clothing like the locals."
The Cook Islands is a country located in Polynesia, Oceania, and has a free association relationship with New Zealand. It was discovered by British explorer James Cook in 1773, who named it after himself. After being governed by Britain and then New Zealand, a self-governing government was established in 1965. The area is about 240 square kilometers, similar in size to Tongyeong City in Gyeongnam Province, and although it is a small country with a population of just over 20,000 as of 2019, it is a popular tourist destination with 168,000 visitors in 2018.
Meanwhile, there are frequent cases where inappropriate attire and behavior spoil the travel mood and cause local residents to frown. On the 20th, three British nationals were arrested for public indecency while taking nude photos covered only by a red cloth on the steps of the St. Andrea Cathedral in Amalfi, Italy. They were caught by police following a report from a nearby local resident, and if found guilty, they could face a fine of up to 30,000 euros (about 42.54 million KRW).
A post by the city of Sorrento, Italy, announcing a crackdown policy on improper attire. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, in July, the southern Italian tourist city of Sorrento announced that tourists walking around the streets topless or wearing only swimwear such as bikinis would be fined between 25 euros (about 35,000 KRW) and up to 500 euros (about 700,000 KRW). Sorrento finalized an ordinance containing this regulation, stating, "Walking around the streets in revealing clothing causes discomfort to residents and damages the dignity of Sorrento."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
