The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) recognizes that Monitoring and Evaluation are critical for understanding the effectiveness of any project. Regular assessment allows it to identify successes and areas where improvements can be made and ensures accountability, allowing tourism operators to track progress and taking accountability for performance.
To this effect, TAK together with the Project Management Unit for the LDCF Project – 1 conducted its Abemama Community Based Tourism (CBT) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) session with participating communities from 13 – 17 March 2023; the island’s first since the Abemama CBT product development project was launched in October 2022.
TAK used this activity to gauge the operations and sustainability of the tourism services provided by the 5 participating communities. Through these sessions, TAK undertook an audit of each product, provided feedback to service providers and mapped out ways to improve as tourism business enterprises. Notable gaps identified through M&E session include limited online connectivity and ease of booking, online payment limitations and whole of island participation in tourism.
In addition to the 5 communities, the Abemama island council, which plays an important role on tourism development on the island, was also consulted on the progress of each CBT initiative.
TAK appreciates that success cannot be achieved overnight and is therefore committed to providing continuous support to communities and organisations engaged in CBT activities.
The 5 communities that offer CBT products in Abemama are Reina village, Baretoa village, Abatiku islet, Ainen Wiikin Abemama, and the Santo Antonio Parish Hotel.
