By Talaia Mika of
Photo: Cook Islands News
A long-time aviator and founder of Air Rarotonga, Sir Ewan Smith recalled with pride his decades-long journey from a teenage pilot stepping off a Hawker-Siddeley 748 in 1973 to leading one of the most important pillars of the Cook Islands tourism economy today.
Sir Ewan, who has been the managing director of Air Rarotonga Ltd since 1978, was recently recognised in the New Zealand King's Birthday Honours after he was knighted for services to Cook Islands business and tourism.
Speaking as the guest of honour of Thursday's Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (CITIC) Christmas general meeting, Sir Smith explained he charted a course through half a century of ups and downs.
He de
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