Among the tourism professionals from the Pacific islands who participated at the Te Ūnga Mai Professional Development Training, Kiribati was represented by Ms Kiarake Karuaki – the Product Development and Investment Promotions officer from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati.
The four-day training held in Rotorua from 30 July to 2 August 2024 is designed to enhance the skills and capabilities of tourism professionals where the Pacific leaders come together and share their destination management journey including successes and challenges. It was an opportunity for networking and gathering practical knowledge, insights, and best practices where Pacific leaders further broaden their perspective allowing for a global exchange of ideas and strategies. Overall, such a program is instrumental in shaping future-ready tourism leaders who can navigate and manage destinations with foresight and responsibility.
Throughout the program, the Pacific Delegates also had the opportunity to join the New Zealand cohort of the Climate Champions Training facilitated by the Travel Foundation in partnership with Expedia Group. It brought together an interactive learning exchange that further discussed the urge for sustainable tourism development against the impact of global climate change for a resilient tourism industry in the Pacific.
TAK acknowledges the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the funding support, Regional Tourism New Zealand, Rotorua Regional Tourism Organisation and the RTOs, private sector, and government agencies at Te Unga Mai for the privilege to learn from their successes and the challenges they faced.
