The village of Ukiangang in Butaritari was brimming with excitement on October 25, 2023, as it hosted the passengers and crew of the MV National Geographic Resolution, which arrived on the island.
MV National Geographic Resolution is owned by Lindblad Bluewater II Ltd and carried 34 passengers and 103 crew members.
Visitors came ashore on zodiacs at Ukiangang Red Beach and were greeted by the Mayor, Clerk and Ukiangang village community of Butaritari. The cruise guests were transported to the community hall (Maneaba), where the entire village eagerly awaited to give them a warm welcome.
The atmosphere inside the Maneaba was alive with music, traditional dance performances, and guests dancing with the locals. Outside the Maneaba, guests were treated to a local culinary experience and a showcase on the importance of various parts of the coconut tree and how vital it is to the Kiribati way of life.
The event provided an opportunity for the villagers to promote sustainable tourism through guided tours to the unique mangroves of Butaritari, a WWII tour, and swimming and snorkelling at Bikati Islet Marine Protected Area.
In line with cruise visit, Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) made significant efforts to develop Community-Based Tourism on Butaritari. The initiative has played out well especially with the alignment of the cruise visit. This endeavour aims to harness the potential of tourism to benefit both the local community and for future of the cruise ships visitations to Butaritari. By aligning these efforts with cruise visits, Butaritari not only attracts tourists but also fosters a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship between visitors and the local community. This approach helps preserve the island’s unique character while contributing to its economic and social well-being.
The cruise also made stops in both North and South Tarawa on October 26, 2023. Passengers and crew members enjoyed a morning swim and snorkelling at Naa’s end (North Tarawa) and later the ship docked at Betio Wharf, where they were greeted and entertained by a local choir and traditional Kiribati dances.
While on South Tarawa, passengers and some crew members went on guided sightseeing and WWII tours hosted by three of the tour guide operators in Kiribati, while others explored the island on their own.
The leader of the expedition, Phillip Andrew Wolff, said that the trip to Butaritari and Roteariki Islet was an amazing experience and that they are very much looking forward to an opportunity to return in the future.
The ship departed from Betio Wharf in the afternoon and received a final farewell with traditional Kiribati dance performance and warm goodbyes from local tour operators, dancers and staff of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati.
