The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its annual Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) and Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) in Nikunau. This marks the first time TAK has conducted the OIPS on the island. The survey was carried out by TAK’s Research and Statistics Division team.
The primary purpose of the TBIS is to update the national accommodation database with key details such as contact information, room count, staff numbers, available services, and facilities. Meanwhile, the OIPS gathers local perspectives on tourism, its impact on the community, and potential areas for sustainable development. The surveys took place from Monday, 12th June to Sunday, 18th June 2025.
TBIS results indicate that only two accommodations are currently operating on the island: Neineinimatang Island Bungalow and Rose Island Bungalow. The Island Council Guesthouse and Santa Maria Guesthouse are closed this quarter.
The survey results further show that the total number of available accommodations remains unchanged, with two properties offering 10 beds and employing the same number of staff. This quarter, only buia (local unit) is available.
The number of female employees increased by 25%, while male employees declined by 33%. Additionally, six staff members received training through Mauri Way Training Program, while some have also earned certificates from previous hospitality trainings with MTC (Marine Training Centre) and KIT (Kiribati Institute of Technology. This demonstrates that Nikunau has local capacity for tourism development, though more trained individuals are needed.
The Nikunau OIPS gathered insights from 10% of households on the island, assessing tourism’s environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impact. It also collected community opinions on unique locations that could be developed for sustainable tourism. The OIPS results will provide deeper insights into tourism’s role in Nikunau’s future and will be shared once the report is finalized later this year.
