Kiribati The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) made its presence for the first time at one of the largest China’s International Travel Mart (CITM) held in Kunming, Yunan Province from 17-19, November 2023.
Kiribati was represented by TAK Deputy CEO, Ms. Reeti Onorio. She was amongst the Heads of National Tourism Offices (NTO) from 7 other Pacific Island countries led by the Pacific Tourism Organization, (SPTO). Collectively, they showed the commitment of Pacific nations to work together in strengthening ties with the Chinese travel market.
Through the Pacific pavilion, Ms. Onorio had the opportunity to discuss Kiribati’s unique niche tourism assets and unique cultures with Chinese tour operators and consumers.
CITM is help annually and is the largest travel Mart in China. The event attracts tourism institutions, travel agencies, hotels, airlines, cultural institutions, museums and other culture & tourism-related businesses from China and around the globe. This year’s CITM attracts more than 3,000 companies and more than 1,000 international buyers.
Ms. Onorio shared that this year’s CITM was a learning experience for TAK to understand the Chinese outbound market post COVID-19. She also held discussions with tour operators on Kiribati’s Approved Destination Status for China and the progress TAK making as a destination through its MOU with the China Tourism Academy.
High on the agenda for Kiribati’s approach to the Chinese market was sustainable tourism and the destination’s intent to offer low impact, high value holiday experiences. These include cultural experiences, marine-based tourism and the off the beaten track laid-back lifestyle in the islands and its people.
DCEO Onorio expressed her gratitude to the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), and China’s Ministry of Culture of Tourism its annual commitment to support Kiribati’s participation at CITM.
CITM 2024 will be held in Shanghai, China. Leading up to that, TAK looks forward to further exploring opportunities for travel and tourism investment into our niche tourism sectors.
