The Tourism Authority of Kiribati’s (TAK) Research & Statistics Division recently conducted a tourism scoping mission on the island of Marakei, to ascertain potential for tourism development. The island is located just a 20-minute flight from Bonriki International Airport.
In addition to consultation with government officials and council members, TAK used the scoping mission to carry out an Outer Islands Perceptions Survey (OIPS) in the island’s 8 villages. The aim of the OIPS is to gauge the islander’s perceptions on tourism and to understand how they feel towards the vision of tourism positively adding value to the island’s economic, socio-cultural, and natural environment. The survey also aims to identify tourism perception gaps at the community level and the results will be used as a guide by TAK and relevant stakeholders that plan to undertake tourism development initiatives on the island.
Whilst on Marake, TAK also conducted a Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) with the two accommodation providers on the island; Rawannawi Catholic Parish Guesthouse and the Island Council Guesthouse. The TBIS survey is an important means for TAK to gather operational information from accommodation providers to assist the organisation in its marketing and promotions, training, and product development programme.
The team also conducted the GPS mapping of historical sites, shrines and other tourism attractions which will be incorporated in the island’s new tourism map.
