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Monitoring and Evaluation for Abemama Tourism Project

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) recognizes that Monitoring and Evaluation are critical for understanding the effectiveness of any project. Regular assessment allows it to identify successes and areas where improvements can be made and ensures accountability, allowing tourism operators to track progress and taking accountability for performance.

To this effect, TAK together with the Project Management Unit for the LDCF Project – 1 conducted its Abemama Community Based Tourism (CBT) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) session with participating communities from 13 – 17 March 2023; the island’s first since the Abemama CBT product development project was launched in October 2022.

TAK used this activity to gauge the operations and sustainability of the tourism services provided by the 5 participating communities. Through these sessions, TAK undertook an audit of each product, provided feedback to service providers and mapped out ways to improve as tourism business enterprises. Notable gaps identified through M&E session include limited online connectivity and ease of booking, online payment limitations and whole of island participation in tourism.

In addition to the 5 communities, the Abemama island council, which plays an important role on tourism development on the island, was also consulted on the progress of each CBT initiative.

TAK appreciates that success cannot be achieved overnight and is therefore committed to providing continuous support to communities and organisations engaged in CBT activities.

The 5 communities that offer CBT products in Abemama are Reina village, Baretoa village, Abatiku islet, Ainen Wiikin Abemama, and the Santo Antonio Parish Hotel.

 

Tabuaeran welcomes first cruise ship visit.

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Tabuaeran, also known as Fanning Island, received its first post COVID-19 cruise ship on Saturday 04 March 2023.

Better known for its left-hand surf breaks, fly fishing flats with abundant Bonefish, Giant Trevally and Milk fish and an ideal all year-round tropical climate, the islander of Tabuaeran welcomed the MS Koningsdam and her 2,452 passengers with a cultural display of song and dance.

Once on land, some passengers used the opportunity to swim, snorkel and fish in the island’s azure lagoon, whilst others opted for leisurely island tour, including school visit and handicraft shopping.

Passenger Carrey Moffett said the island was “Something out about of a movie or a postcard’. He added that “this is what I picture when I hear the term ’South Pacific even though we were technically still in the North Pacific”.

A team from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Kiritimati officer led by Senior Tourism Officer, Tekonaba Teburea also travelled to Tabuaeran to assist the islanders with activities on the day.

Tabuaeran Is one of the few islands in Kiribati that offer the beaten track cruise ship experience. Other islands visited by cruise ships in the past include Kiritimati, Kanton, Butaritari, Tarawa and Abemama.

TAK benefits from JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Tourism Officer Marketing & Promotion Ms. Maaba Katirite participated at the Knowledge Co-Creation Program on ‘Tourism Marketing and Promotion for the New Normal’ in Tokyo Japan from 20 January – 08 February 2023.

Organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and World Business Association, the Japan in-country program was a follow up to the online training component of the program that took place in November 2022. The four weeks online training had focused on theoretical lessons on tourism products and services delivered by different tourism organization in Japan. Participants were invited to apply similar concepts that best suited their respective destinations.

Ms. Katirite joined participants from Europe, Africa, Caribbean, and the Pacific at the three weeks training program offered in Japan. Through this in-country program, she experienced a number of Japanese tourism products including the Resort Workation Prince Hotel, Auto Camping sites, Matsumoto-ro Hotel, Glamping Site, Geo Park Museum, Peninsula Geopark Site, and the National Museum of Japan.

Through these experiences, Ms. Katirite boarded her understanding on TAK had tourism businesses, their marketing strategies, targets market, customer inclusiveness and how they dealt with COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Katirite will share her experiences with local tourism operators and provide support to those that require support with product development, marketing and promotion.

Tourism potential for Tabiteuea South Island

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Located South of Kiribati’s capital Tarawa, Tabiteuea South is an island shrouded in myths and legends, some which date back to the creation of the island. One such myth is the story of Teueanikai (a tree), which legend has it that the branches of the Teueanikai gave way to the formation of the island of Tabiteuea.

Today, the island is divided into two, Tabiteuea Meang (North) and Tabiteuea Maiaki (South). History has it that a bloody massacre at the shores of Tewai village was initiated by the people of the North in attempt to convert the people of Tab South to Christianity. This battle site is today called Buruburu terara which in English translates to bloodshed.

In a quest to learn more about the island’s intriguing history, Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Assistant Tourism Officer Garstang Bitauea joined a constituency visit delegation to Tabiteuea South led by the Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives (MTCIC), Honourable Booti Nauan.

During the island tour, Mr. Bitauea took the opportunity to undertake tourism awareness across all villages on the island, highlighting the benefits of tourism, and the role of TAK. The program also included a guided tour of all historical sites led by the Unimwane (elderly men) group called Teueanikai. These historical sites were plotted and recorded and will be updated in the island visitor map.

Mr. Bitauea also conducted the Tourism Business Inventory Survey on the island’s 2 accommodation providers, Santo Betero Parish Hotel and Tab-South Island Council Guesthouse. Information gathered will be shared as visitor information and for used for destination promotion.

TAK recognises that there is potential for Tab South to incorporate the island’s myths and legends through storytelling and historical site preservation into their destination product mix. Equally important will be the engagement of the islanders to actively participate in cultural and heritage preservation.

Kiritimati island Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS)

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted its first Tourism Business Inventory Survey for 2023 in Kiritimati Island from 30th January to 3rd February.

TAK took the opportunity during the survey to encourage all Kiritimati Island tourism accommodation and businesses operators to begin preparing their properties and facilities for when commercial flights to the island resumes.

Through the survey, TAK gathered tourism data and information to be used for visitor’s information and marketing purposes.

The survey confirmed that Kiritimati Island has a total of 9 accommodation providers of which 8 were surveyed. These include The Village Hotel. Lagoon View Resort, The Inn Pacific, Little Flower, IKARI House, Dive & Fishing Adventure Lodge and Port Apartment Service. The Captain Cook Hotel was not included in this year survey due to its ongoing maintenance and renovation.

Kiritimati currently has a total of 65 rooms inventory available on the island with 126 beds and 11 units (8 kiakia & 3 huts) with 12 beds.

Beautification Initiative on Kiritimati Island

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The Kiribati island of Kiritimati (Christmas Island) commenced its monthly clean-up on Wednesday 13th February 2023. This initiative is organized by the Kiritimati Clean-up Committee, a working group set up with the aim to improve awareness and campaign on the importance of environmental cleanliness across the island.

Through collaboration, the committee promotes, demonstrates and encourage environmental awareness on littering, waste disposal and pollution, as major concerns to the environment. It functions with the aim to eradicate illegal dumping and waste disposal sites on Kiritimati.

The first clean-up was carried out at the lagoon sides of Tennessee communities from Morokai to Bahai church sites where most of the rubbish and waste is from households living in the area.

TAK Senior Tourism Officer, Tekonaba Teburea says “it was encouraging to witness strong support on this first ever clean-up, and TAK is looking forward to work with the communities and the committee in the next clean-up”.

Teburea added that TAK envisages that Kiritimati Island will be clean and safe Island Paradise for visitors when flights resume to the island.

The clean-up committee includes of representatives from Kiritimati Island communities, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry Cooperatives (MTCIC), TAK, Ministry of Women, Youth, Sport & Social Affairs (MWYSSA), Wildlife Conservation Unit and is chaired by a representative from the Ministry of Line & Phoenix Island Development (MLPID).

 

Kiribati’s Nonouti Island ready to welcome travellers.

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The island of Nonouti in Kiribati’s southern Gilbert group confirmed its readiness to welcome international travellers when it showcased its Community-Based Tourism (CBT) products to senior government officials and industry stakeholders.

Over the last 12 months, Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Tourism Officer – Product Development, Ms Kiarake Karuaki made numerous trips to Nonouti to introduce the concept of Sustainable CBT to communities and local organisations on the island. These trips included scoping for potential CBT sites, soliciting community interest to participate in the initiative and the provision of tourism support and training for these remote island communities.

Nonouti island is a popular fly-fishing destination in the Gilbert group. Through this initiative, visitors can now also enjoy  a number of cultural and traditional culinary experiences including the islands famous te ibunroro – a local delicacy made from fresh sea shell meat cooked in an intricately carved out young coconut shell over an open fire. The result is a creamy blend of ocean goodness and coconut milk freshness with a distinct burnt aroma that is pleasing to the taste bud.

Nonouti island is where the Roman Catholic Church was first established in Kiribati in 1888 and is also home to the largest and oldest Maneaba in all of Kiribati.  Called “te Aake” (the ark). It was built as a symbol of the first arrival of Christianity to Kiribati through Roman Catholic church

Supported by the LDCF -1 Food Security Project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP and managed by the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) under the MELAD, this CBT initiative attracted the interest of 3 communities, local fishing guides and supported by the Nonouti Island Council. 

Kiribati welcomes first cruise ship visit

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The islet of Betio and South Tarawa was a hive of activities on Saturday 18 February 2023 when the Pacific Island destination of Kiribati welcomed its first international cruise ship visit since border reopening.

The Amadea Shipping Company owned MS Amadea operates under charter by the Germany-based Phoenix Reisen and carried 523 passengers and 302 crew.

Visitors were welcomed at the Port of Betio with entertainment from the Kiribati Police Services Brass Band, local choir and the traditional Kiribati dances.

Guests, 90 percent of whom were German nationals were treated to a showcase of Kiribati’s unique a vibrant culture through dance, song and art while some took the opportunity for a swim before returning to the ship.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) CEO, Petero Manufolau said “this cruise ship visit was an opportunity for Betio and South Tarawa to showcase the local culture and scenic beauty of the island and it was encouraging to witness local communities coming together to deliver an unforgettable experience for our visitors”.  Manufolau added that cruise ship tourism is also about contribution to the local economy, and he expressed TAK’s appreciation to all vendors who came out to help complete the Kiribati visitor experience on the day.

Kiribati is scheduled to receive its next cruise ship call at Tabuaeran (Fanning Island) in March 2023.

South Tarawa Training Need Assessment

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The Training and Development Unit within the Tourism Authority of Kiribati conducted a two days visit to all tourism business properties in South Tarawa to carry out the training need assessment for all employees in the tourism industry that was held on the 25th to 26th of January 2023.

The main purpose of this visit is to discuss and share the training needs assessment form that TAK already come up with and to take all of their specific needs so that TAK can have them and share them with national institutions for their continued assistance and support.

Six of seven tourist accommodations were part of this visit and these are The George Hotel, Betio Lodge, Fema Lodge, Utirerei Hotel, Eniita Lodge, and Tad’s Guest Homestay. Mary’s motel is the only one that has not yet been visited due to some inconvenience caused regard to the schedule raised by the office.

This is the first time that TAK roll out this activity to sit with hotel employees face to face and to take note of their needs with the hope of extending this to all tourism operators in the outer island.

South Tarawa Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS)

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) through its Research and Statistics Division has conducted its survey known as the Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) from 25th to 26th  January 2023 in South Tarawa.

The survey is also part of TAK’s annual work plan to update the accommodation database to ensure data and information that are collected are up to date, which is the overall main purpose of the visit. The collected data and information include the number of rooms and beds, the number of employees, and contact information to name a few.

The survey results will help determine the training needs of the surveyed properties, it will also help accommodation providers to identify areas that need improvements in terms of marketing and product development needs.

The 7 surveyed properties were The George Hotel, Betio Lodge, Marys’ Motel, Fema Lodge, Utirerei Hotel, Eniita Lodge, and Tads Guesthouse.

The next TBIS will be conducted in North Tarawa in February.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati is responsible for working with our partners to encourage travelers to come to Kiribati and spend time exploring our country.

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