Kiritimati Island, located in the western part of Kiribati, welcomed the world’s first sunrise of 2024 with a festive dawn event featuring songs and dance at Bay of Wrecks site on January 1st, 2024.
Shared live via the Tourism Authority of Kiribati’s (TAK) official #VisitKiribati page, the Minister for Line & Phoenix Islands Development (MLPID), Honourable Mikarite Temari delivered a New Year welcome address and expressed gratitude for Kiribati’s unique distinction as the world’s first sunrise destination.
Minister Temari welcomed the more than 16,000 viewers to appreciate the cultural richness presented by the people of Kiritimati Island and encouraged them to consider Kiritimati Island in their 2024 travel plans. Furthermore, Honourable Temari invited travellers to travel to and join the people of Kiritimati Island welcome the world’s first sunrise on 01 January 2025.
TAK Acting CEO, Ms. Reeti Onorio expressed appreciation to all its partners that supported the event including the Aibwea Student Association from Brigham Young University, traditional entertainers from Banana village, Kiritimati Island tourism operators, visitors, and the people of Kiritimati Island.
Kiritimati Island is renowned for world-class saltwater fly-fishing and boasts some of the world’s most secluded and pristine golden sand beaches, a turquoise lagoon, and a diverse marine life.
The island is serviced through a weekly Fiji Airways service from Nadi and Honolulu and an Air Kiribati service from the nation’s capital, Tarawa.
