The global tourism industry has been one of the most affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic and Kiribati is no exception.
Kiribati’s tourism industry, by regional comparison is small and very niche market driven where fly and bone fishing dominate the market. Annually, the island nation hosts a little over 5,000 international visitors, 21% of whom are from U.S.A, 17% Australia, 9% New Zealand and 22% from other countries including UK and Europe. Tarawa in the Gilbert group and Kiritimati in the Line islands are Kiribati’s main international ports of entry and are serviced Fiji Airways, Our Airline (Tarawa only) and Solomon Airlines (Tarawa only).
Amendments and cancellations to bookings into Kiritimati and Tarawa surfaced when the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) began issuing travel advisories in line with the country’s COVID-19 precautionary measures. By mid-March 2020, total room nights cancellations across Kiribati exceeded 3,500.
The confirmation of Fiji’s first novel coronavirus case on Thursday 19 March 2020 sparked several control measures by the Fijian government including the immediate suspension of services to Tarawa and Kiritimati by Fiji Airways from Nadi effective the very next day. These cancellations coupled with the earlier suspension of the Our Airline service from Nauru and Majuro and Solomon Airlines service a week later means that Kiribati is now literally isolated.
Consultations between the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) and tourism stakeholders in Tarawa and Kiritimati revealed that accommodation providers are operating on shortened staff hours and/or layoffs, limited hotel services and other cost control measures.
Betio Lodge I and Utirerei, two of the larger accommodation providers on Tarawa were the first to succumb to the impact of COVID-19, with both announcing complete closures withing days of each other.
Ms. Agnes Tiaoti, receptionist of Betio Lodge 2 said that the closure of its sister hotel (Betio Lodge 1) meant that staffs will now be absorbed into Betio Lodge 2 on reduced working hours.
Owner and Director of Utirerei Hotel, Taam Kaiteie says that “the safety and wellbeing of our staffs is our priority and with the current situation on coronavirus, precautionary measures should be taken seriously and that is why we see the need to close down for two weeks or until further notice.”
Fema Lodge also recorded drop in bookings and have laid off some of their staff for two weeks and this will be reviewed as situations dictate. Lodge Manager Boaa Fatali added that “the only people we employ now is one receptionist, a housekeeper, a cook, handyman and a watchman. With no customer around we take this as an opportunity to renovate some our rooms.”
The cessation of international flights means that TAK will need to adjust its marketing program and assist operators develop and promote local weekend/retreat packages. The Marketing, Promotions and Communications team of the Authority have begun discussions with interested partners to develop their packages and compliment the local e-marketing campaigns that it will be rolling out.
TAK will use this time to undertake capacity building and training programs beginning with a Digital Tourism Online Workshop facilitated by the Pacific Trade & Invest office, Australia and Fly-Fishing product assessment on the Gilbert group.
The shock that COVID-19 has created on tourism and the global economy is severe. However, TAK believes that like any other outbreaks in history, this pandemic will phase out by the end of 2020. The Authority will therefore use this unusually quiet period to re-assess and re-valuate its priorities to ensure that the current needs of its stakeholders are highlighted and to also prepare the industry for when Kiribati tourism will be back in business.
