Taare Rikiai – Page 16 – Kaongora Newsletter

Kiribati honours Japanese & Korean WWII Monument

December 1, 2022November 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Kiribati Minister of Tourism, Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Honourable Booti Nauan hosted the 79^th WWll anniversary commemoration and the reopening of the Japan and Korea monuments at Tabon Takoronga, Betio Tuesday 29 November, 2022.

Present at the event was His Excellency Kawakami Fumihiro, Ambassador of Japan to Kiribati and Excellency Park Young-kyu, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kiribati.

Set against the backdrop of the re-built Japan and Korea WWll memorial monument, the event began with a welcome from the traditional landowners the Unimwane ao Unaine Betio followed by a commemoration memorial service led by Reverend Tioti Timon from the Kiribati Uniting Church.

In his address, Hon Nauan shared that “while the Battle of Tarawa will long be remembered as the bloodiest battle in the Pacific campaign of WWll, it important to acknowledge that each of the more than 5,000 lives lost, whether they were Americans, Japanese or Koreans, were sons, fathers, brothers, uncles who were loved by their families and that their memory must always be honoured”.

The Ambassadors of Japan and Korea both expressed their sincerest gratitude to the Government and the people of Kiribati for the initiative to remember their fallen countrymen.

The event was also attended by the High Commissioner of Australia to Kiribati, His Excellency David Yardley, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kiribati His Excellency Tang Songgen, the Mayor of Betio, local church leaders and community elders.

Tourism Restart Training delivered in Maiana Island

November 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a five-days tourism restart program training to all tourism businesses in Maiana on the 9 – 15 November 2022. This was held at the Island Council Guesthouse in Tebwangetua.

The five days training was attended by representatives from the local accommodation provider and tourism communities.

Conducted by Tourism Officer Ms. Monika Rikita, the training included Tourism and Hospitality for the new normal, Revenue management and Tourism Business Fundamental.

Six modules of the tourism and hospitality safety protocol training focused on the necessity for the tourism businesses to protect employees and travellers from COVID-19 by adhering to set protocols developed by TAK.

The tourism business fundamental training focused on tourism business concepts and services and the role that marketing and human resources capacity development plays in strengthening community-based tourism business initiatives. These also included ecotourism revenue management training which focused on sustainability practices, and revenue management.

TAK is confident that trainings provided in Maiana will assist the island community as they prepare to welcome back travellers to the island.

This program was supported by the Kiribati LDCF-1, funded by the Global Environmental Facilities, and implemented under the Ministry of Environment Lands and Agricultural Development through the Environment and Conservation Division.

Butaritari ready to welcome international travellers

November 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) completed a one-week training on housekeeping, tour guide and COVID-19 safety on Butaritari island from 14 – 18 November 2022.

The COVID-19 safety protocol refresher training aimed to support the islands 4 accommodation providers and 1 restaurant to remain safety conscious as the island begin welcoming foreign visitors.

The tour guide training provided the islands registered tour guides the opportunity to improve their product knowledge, get a better understanding on tour package and pricing and management of their services as a business. Participants also received customer service training and were encouraged to create exceptional experiences for travellers to Butaritari.

The week-long training program concluded 79^th anniversary of the Battle of Makin (Butaritari) in Ukiangang village.

Kiribati Commemorates 79th Anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa

November 22, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Kiribati commemorated the 79^th anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa in a solemn dawn ceremony at the U.S. World War 2 memorial monument in Betio, South Tarawa on Tuesday 22 November 2022.

The Battle of Tarawa was one of the first battles in the Pacific War during World War 2 and lasted between 20 – 23 November 1943. By the end of this campaign, nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans and Americans died on the tiny island of Betio in the 76 hours of fighting. This earned its name as the bloodiest battles during World War 2.

The commemoration ceremony began with a traditional welcome from the elders of Betio, followed by a moving memorial remembrance service led by the Kiribati Uniting Church Deputy Moderator Reverend Tioti Timon.

In his address, President of the Republic of Kiribati, His Excellency Taneti Maamau said “my wife and I have the great pleasure in joining you today to pay tribute to the US Servicemen and women, that have bravely fought for peace and harmony. While history cannot be changed, the bravery, courage and selfless determination of the fallen and of the survivors must forever be recognized and honoured”.

President Maamau shared that “by remembering, by telling our stories, we hope that their legacy becomes a source of inspiration for nations to forge peace with one another”.

In attendance was a delegation from the U.S Embassy in Suva Fiji led by Army Attaché Lt. Colonel John Paul A Smock, the High Commissioner of New Zealand to Kiribati, H.E. Andre Van Der Walt, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia, Timothy Gill, Deputy Mayor of Betio, Government officials and community elders.

Lt. Colonel John Paul A Smock whilst acknowledging the commemoration said that “today, the United States is enhancing its commitment to Kiribati and the Blue Pacific, and I thank God that I am privileged enough to be part of that effort. Our shared past unites us, and our shared future will only make us stronger.” He thanked everyone present for their time today and for the opportunity to remember those who gave so much in the cause of freedom.

The event concluded with refreshments served by staffs and management of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK).

Kiribati presents at 2022 Global Sustainable Tourism Forum

November 11, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Tourism Authority of Kiribati CEO, Petero Manufolau presented Kiribati’s aspirations for sustainable tourism development at the 2022 Global Sustainable Tourism Forum in Seoul, Republic of Korea on Thursday 10 November 2022.

In addressing the forum on climate action in tourism destinations, Manufolau shared the steps that TAK has undertaken towards sustainable tourism, beginning with the development of the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework that was launched in 2021.

As a destination most vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, the Kiribati tourism sector plays an important role in mitigating the impacts of climate change through responsible and regenerative tourism practices.

He added that “the Kiribati tourism sector is at a very unique stage of industry development and that TAK is working to develop sustainability indicators and a Kiribati Sustainability Policy that will set the guidelines the industry’s development”. He added that “we only have one chance to get this right and government, development partners, civil society and community support will be vital if Kiribati is to realise its full sustainable tourism development potential”.

CEO Manufolau also called out to international sustainable tourism best practice specialists and sustainable tourism development agencies to support the Kiribati tourism sector’s initiative for effective climate action in tourism.

Following his presentation, Manufolau participated in a panel discussion on accelerating the transition to green tourism. Panelists included representatives from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Greenview Hospitality, Singapore, Jaya House, Cambodia and Rogers Hospitality, Mauritius.

The keynote address for the event was delivered by Ms. Sofia Raquel Gutierres Laza, Deputy Director, United National World Tourism Organisation (UNTWO) with special remarks from Mr. Jorge Laguna-Cells, Head of the One Planet Secretariat, UNEP.

The event was jointly hosted by the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Republic of Korea.

Connectivity vital for tourism in Pacific Small Island States

November 3, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Republic of Kiribati’s Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Industry, and Cooperative (MTCIC), Honourable Michael Bootii Nauan, highlighted the concerns of Small Island States and Territories regarding air connectivity to SISTs in the region.

He made these comments as a panelist presenting on Improving Air Connectivity for Small Island States at the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit, organised by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) at the Edgewater Resort and Spa in Cook Islands.

Hon Nauan was part of the Ministerial Panel 2 on Enhancing Pacific resilience and competitiveness through sustainable tourism alongside French Polynesia Vice President Honourable Jean-Christophe Bouissou, Cook Islands Associate Minister for Tourism Honourable Tingika Elikana and New Caledonia Tourism Director General Ms. Julie Laronde.

In highlighting his recommendations to the question of ‘How air connectivity to SISTs could be improved, Hon Nauan shared that continued Development partner support to connect SIST with source markets, where the Nauru Airlines Island Hopper Program, supported by DFAT, effectively connects Nauru, Kiribati, RMI, and FSM with Australia on a fortnightly basis.

He added that there is also an opportunity for PRC-aligned countries to attract the Asia market through seasonal or charter services supported by our Chinese counterparts. Development partner support through destination marketing to help support SIST promotional initiatives in the source market will also help improve loading for supporting schedules.

On airline support, Hon Nauan expressed that current Pacific air carriers play an important role in enabling SIST destinations to grow through reduced fare consideration where possible and more flexibility on SIST sector fares to allow for last-minute changes dues to industry conditions in SIST’s.

“If we are talking about sustainable tourism- connectivity on the region, what comes to mind, how we can connect those dots and how to maintain this. Flights to these SISTs are very high, and many tourism refrains from traveling across,” Hon Nauan mentioned.

The Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit was held on Wednesday 02 November, ahead of the Pacific Council of Tourism Ministers meeting on Thursday 03 November 2022.

Inaugural survey visit by TAK to Tamana island

November 1, 2022November 1, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The distant island of Tamana also known as “My small paradise” was visited by the Research and Statistics Division to carry out its annual workplan activities. These activities include the Outer Island Perception Surveys (OIPS), the Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) and island mapping.

The OIPS is a survey seeking the views and perceptions of the locals on the value of tourism to their communities and island. Some of the information collected relates to income from tourism; the perceived environmental, economic and sociocultural impacts of tourism to name a few.

The TBIS was the second survey conducted and it collects information such as staff numbers, room and bed inventory, and facilities and services offered from the accommodation providers on the island. This is part of TAK’s annual workplan to update the national accommodation database for the Gilbert, Line and Phoenix islands.

There are 2 accommodation providers on the island, namely the Tamana Island Council Guesthouse and the Kiribati Protestant Church (KPC) Guesthouse located in Bakaaka village.

The team also plotted tourism attraction sites on the island using a GPS device for mapping purposes. The completed visitor map will serve as a guide for those who wish to explore the island.

TAK was part of the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC) team that visited Tamana to celebrate the National Coconut and Cooperative Day for the first time on the 22^nd of October.

Accompanying the Honourable Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Booti Nauan along with his wife Dr Tabuaka Nauan, were diplomatic representatives from the Chinese Embassy, Australian High Commission, New Zealand High Commission and the owner of OceanLink.

This was the first the time for the Research & Statistics Division to conduct its activities on the island.

Tourism office conducted Bakery training on Tamana Island

November 1, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati conducted four days of bakery training for accommodation providers and representatives from different villages from 18 to 21 October 2022.

The training was part of Tamana Islands’ preparation for Coconut and Cooperative Day, celebrated in Tamana on October 22. The event is celebrated annually and is part of the Ministry of Tourism Commerce and Industry Cooperative activities.

The objective of this training is to help accommodation providers on Tamana Island explore new skills in baking and be able to bake a variety of baking whenever they have a guest to give them the Mauri way taste of local cuisines.

Villagers from Barebuka attended the four-day training. A total of 17 participants were involved in the activity. The workshop trainers shared ten recipes throughout the training, including coconut roll, cream donut, soft and decorated donut, striped coconut bread, chocolate cake, coconut cake, mini milo ball, simple vanilla cake, condensed milk cake, and banana cake.

During the coconut day event, participants showcased what they had baked at the TAK booth as a giveaway to whoever wanted to taste it.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati hoped that following the workshop, participants could enhance their baking skills to add to their existing recipes they had learnt to offer guests and travelers when visited in the future.

TAK acknowledges the support from the Ministry and will roll out the same training to other islands which has not yet visited.

Tamana Island keen for tourism restart

October 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The island of Tamana (pronounced Tamena) in the southern part of the Gilbert Islands in Kiribati is nationally known as the island of men, a repetitive phrase often echoed by the old men during traditional welcome ceremonies. This reference is a reflection of the island’s motto of “A man needs to be very skillful and healthy so that he is ready and prepared to provide for his family’s daily living and needs, especially in times of stormy weather’.

Tamana traditional dance depicts its closeness to the Polynesian archipelago and its geographical location has situated it off the beaten track tourism destination in Kiribati.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), through its safe, smart, and sustainable tourism restart to tourism program delivered a 4-days training on the island from 18 – 21 October 2022.

It was ideated that the trainings will provide participants with a better understanding on how to effectively manage their tourism businesses’. The trainings recommended that these could be achieved through value adding products and services.

The tourism business fundamentals training highlighted significant points to operate and market a tourism business while the Kiribati Tourism and Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal aimed at improving and enhancing the safety of both the consumers and the service providers in the post Covid19 situation.

Representatives from Tamana Island Council Guesthouse and the KPC Guesthouse participated and completed the training.

The monitoring and evaluation exercise to assess the guesthouses’ staffs compliance to the protocols.

The training was provided as part of the preparation and support to the National Coconut and Cooperative Day on the 22nd October 2022.

Nonouti Island Community-Based Tourism development progressing.

November 1, 2022October 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in collaboration with the Business Promotion Unit of the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC) continued its community-based tourism program on Nonouti Island from 14 – 31 October 2022.

Through this mission, the team worked with participating communities to develop their community- based tourism business plans. This included consultation with participating communities on business name ideas, package and pricing and other necessary information required for the business plan completion.

A total of 6 island communities participated in the exercise and they included Autukia village, Rootin Abamakoro and CM Umwantewenei.

The business plan development will assist these 3 communities to understand the basics of the business and revenue management skills that will help sustain their business. Sustainability will be core to Nonouti island’s community-based tourism businesses with economic prosperity, cultural preservation, and environmental protection as their guiding pillars.

The 2 program also included product trial, development of product sign boards and a lobster cooking competition to boost community capacity authentic culinary experience.

The mission concluded with the cultural trade fair and the world food day celebration as a wrap of the LDCF Project 1 featuring winners of the lobster cookery champion, best fishing guides and food security award.

The Nonouti community-based tourism participating communities’ business plans will be endorsed during the launch and familiarisation trip in November 2022.

Tourism Authority Kiribati