Island Hopper Vacations successfully managed the visiting Abercrombie & Kent tour staff, who arrived in Rarotonga on a luxury private jet a week ago. The Rarotonga company arranged their accommodation, meals, tours and activities, including a Special Aitutaki Day Tour.

Robert Skews, chief executive of Island Hopper Vacations (2026) Ltd, said the aircraft features 51 lie-flat beds and is configured for VIP service with a 12-member crew.

The group was led by the company’s former owner, Geoffrey Kent, and his wife.

“The 43 passengers, 12 crew and nine other Abercrombie and Kent tour staff were very happy with their visit here and in particular the private service from our Raro tours drivers and hoteliers who accommodated them over 12 properties,” Skews told Cook Islands News.

“It was a real sort of challenge for us to make sure that we delivered on our promises and everybody who was involved, the hotels and everybody just really did an excellent job.”

According to a Stuff report, the private jet – a Boeing 757 – has been chartered by luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent for a 24-day around-the-world tour.

“The plane, configured with 52 VIP-style seats, departed Los Angeles last week before travelling to Hawaii and the Cook Islands. Auckland was the next stop – but only for an hour, before the plane continued on to Adelaide,” Stuff reported on October 6.

“The tour will also take in Sumatra in Indonesia, India, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire and the Portuguese island of Madeira before ending its journey in Boston.”

Skews said the next trip is due here in May 2027 and costs AUD 290,000 (NZ$360,943) per person.