Taare Rikiai – Page 16 – Kaongora Newsletter

TAK conducts Onotoa island survey

October 2, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) through its Research and Statistics Division visited Onotoa Island to conduct Tourism Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) and Tourism Business Inventory Surveys (TBIS). The team from TAK also plotted current and potential tourist attractions on the island and will use these GPS plots produce Onotoa island visitor maps. This is the first time TAK has such activities on the island.

The OIPS is a survey which measures the local’s perceptions on tourism such as; tourism impacts on their communities, tourism contribution to local economy; and environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism on their island.

The TBIS survey on the other hand is part of the Research and Statistics Division’s annual workplan and this survey aims to update TAK’s national accommodation database to ensure that collected data and information are accurate.

The development of maps that clearly identity tourism attractions on the outer islands will be helpful to travellers who visit the island. This initiative is part of TAK’s activity to develop visitor maps for all islands in the Line and Gilbert group. The TAK team also visited shrines and other historical areas to ensure they are included on the map of Onotoa.

Nonouti island is ready to welcome travellers

October 2, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a four-day Tourism Restart Program training to all tourism businesses in Nonouti island from 23 – 28 September 2022.

The trainings included Tourism and Hospitality for the new normal, Tourism Business Fundamental and Revenue Management, delivered by Tourism Officer Training, Ms. Monika Rikita.

The Tourism Business Fundamental covered recommendations for revamping business concepts and services offered through marketing and human resources capacity development programs. The Revenue Management training included best practices for managing revenue effectively as well as revenue forecast.

The COVID-19 safety protocol training highlighted the need for tourism business operators to protect its employees and guests from the threat of the virus through a pre-determined set of safety procedures set by the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS).

A total of eleven (11) participants from different organizations and communities participated in the training. Seven (7) of them were fishing guides, one (1) tour guide, one (1) from Nonouti Island guest house, one (1) from Catholic Parish and one (1) from Abamakoro Islet.

Since border reopening, TAK is encouraging all participants to apply what they have learnt from the training for their guests and employee safety.

Nonouti Island community-based tourism product development progresses

October 3, 2022October 2, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a community-based tourism development mission in Nonouti island from 14 – 29 of September 2022.

TAK is working with Nonouti island communities to deliver this community-based niche tourism products development that highlights the island’s pristine environment, rich culture and traditions, vibrant history and abundant marine resources.

Once completed, these community-based tourism products are envisaged to help the island address food security challenges propelled by the recent changed in climatic conditions.

The two weeks mission included niche tourism package development training, tour product packaging, pricing and product trial with Abamakoro islet and Autukia village communities. The program also gave TAK officials the opportunity to assess the skills of trained fishing guides on the island.

Councillor from Autukia village, Mr Tiikai, stated that the product trial enabled them to understand the core requirements to tourism service delivery and added that “we realise that we have to improve some parts of our package itinerary such as timing”.

This initiative will help guide Nonouti island tourism-based communities to strengthen their business and services by maximizing their revenue, upskill human resource, improve customer service, product packaging, pricing, marketing and promotions. It also aims to assist participating communities to recognise the need for the whole of island approach toward tourism and other service providers that play an important role in completing the visitor experience.

The training concluded with the product tourism trial on bone fishing and community-based products on traditional culinary experience, marine protected area tour and wildlife tour (bird watching).

The mission was supported by the Food Security Project, commonly known as the LDCF-1 which is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP and managed by the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) under the MELAD.

Kiritimati tourism operators prepared for safe reopening

September 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted the final training on Tourism and Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal to employees of the Sunset Horizon Fishing Lodge in Kiritimati on 21 and 22 September 2022.

This marks a milestone achievement for TAK Kiritmati who have now effectively completed the training for all tourism operators on the island, best known as a world class saltwater fly fishing destination.

A total of two hundreds and twenty-nine (229) tourism employees including, hospitality staff, fishing guides, rental car drivers and boatmen in Kiritimati have completed this training.

Through this training, TAK believes that Kiritimati tourism operators are now better informed and equipped to apply COVID-19 safety measures and protocols to travellers once their international border reopens.

TAK continues schools outreach program

September 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) continued its school outreach program in September by a visit to Year nine students in all government and faith-based schools in South Tarawa and Betio from 07 – 22 September 2022.

This annual outreach program aims to provide students with a better understanding of tourism sector, its benefits, in particular its contribution to the Kiribati economy through employment and business opportunities.

TAK’s annual outreach to year 9 students also compliments the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) inclusion of tourism studies in the school’s Kiribati Community Studies class.

Saint Louise teacher Ioane Keebwa commented that “such an outreach program is crucial for students at this level to gain a better understanding of tourism and its potential for Kiribati’.

TAK acknowledges the ongoing support of MoE and to all faith-based schools in endorsing TAK’s tourism outreach.

Tourism Authority welcomes Nauru Airlines announcement

September 30, 2022September 28, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) welcomes the announcement by Nauru Airlines to resume its Island Hopper Service from 16 October 2022. This service last operated in March 2020, prior to the COVID-19 international border closure.

Nauru Airline’s Island Hopper schedule will connect Kiribati with Brisbane, Australia and Nadi Fiji through Nauru and also offer direct fortnightly return services from Tarawa to Majuro, the capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau acknowledged the important role played by regional carriers like Nauru Airlines in connecting remote yet unique Pacific Island destinations like Kiribati with the rest of the world.

The Brisbane to Tarawa via Nauru flight will begin as a Sunday fortnightly service, departing Brisbane at 8.15am and arriving at Bonriki International Airport at 5.10pm.

Manufolau added that the service will be ideal for business travellers from Australia and opens up additional travel options for off the beaten track leisure traveller seeking to journey the road least travelled.

Nauri Airline’s Island Hopper services now means that travellers have 2 weekend departure options from Brisbane, with the second being with Solomon Airlines. Fiji Airways compliments this with its twice a week direct service from Nadi to Tarawa.

TAK Acknowledges Kiribati Tourism Social Super Stars

September 27, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) celebrated World Tourism Day 2022 yesterday with an appreciation event to acknowledge the contributions of a group of Kiribati Tourism Social Super Stars to Kiribati destination promotion.

Hosted at the TAK office in Takoronga, Betio, the Kiribati Tourism Social Super Stars were identified through their active engagement in promoting different aspects of the Kiribati experience through their social media platforms.

This initiative to acknowledge Kiribati Tourism Social Super Stars draws from the UNWTO World Tourism Day 2022 theme of ‘Rethinking Tourism’. TAK recognises that each I-Kiribati or an individual who has experienced Kiribati is a storyteller in one way or another and by sharing their experiences can help create awareness on Kiribati as a unique tourism destination.

The four (4) Kiribati Tourism Social Super Stars recognised at yesterday’s event included Air Kiribati Twin Otter Captain Ms. Salote Mataitini (Twitter @mytagimoucia), Kaara Baretaki Kannangaki (TikTok @tinanteree82), Raimon Kataotao (Instagram @kataotao) and the administrators of Humans of Kiribati Facebook and Instagram pages. Each were awarded with an appreciation certificate from the TAK Board of Directors Chairman, Mr. Tabotabo Auatabu.

The celebration also included the acknowledgement of the TAK Marketing Division who welcomed their 10,000^th follower on the official Visit Kiribati Facebook page.

In line with the theme of ‘Rethinking Tourism’, TAK encourages stakeholders and communities to recognise that tourism is everyone’s business and hopes to welcome more Kiribati Tourism Social Super Stars in the future.

Kiribati hosts first post COVID-19 International meeting

September 5, 2022September 1, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Government of Kiribati (GoK) through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource Development (MFMRD) hosted the Forum Fisheries Agency’s Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) meeting in Tarawa from 20 – 27 August 2022.

This was the first international meeting hosted in the country following Kiribati border re-opening on 01 August 2022. The event welcomed delegates and representatives from 17 Pacific member countries including Australia and New Zealand.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) recognises the FFC meeting as Kiribati’s initial introduction to the new normal in international post COVID-19 meetings and conferences market. Given the success of the event, TAK envisages that more regional and international meetings can be hosted in Kiribati, now that international travel is returning to normalcy.

TAK was also part of the organizing committee for this high-level meeting and collaborated with local inbound operator Kiribati Holidays for delegate activities.

The event has also been a great opportunity for local accommodation providers to boost their revenue through rooms revenue, food & beverage services and other activities.

Community-based tourism product development progressing in Butaritari

September 1, 2022September 1, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) community-based tourism product development on Butaritari island is continuing following the recent 10 days programme carried out by TAK’s Tourism Officer, Product Development Kiarake Karuaki in August 2022.

Ms. Karuaki’s recent activities involved engagement with participating communities to improve their business initiatives and service offering. To achieve this, communities participated in revenue management, customer service, Mauri Mark standards, market analysis, niche tourism products, marketing and promotions training.

Communities engaged in this product development programme includes Keuea village, Tanimaiaki village, Antekana, Ukiangang, Bikati and Sunset Isles lodge, a local accommodation provider.

Butaritari is known as the most fertile agricultural island in Kiribati and played a strategic role in the Pacific campaign of WWll. The community-based tourism products developed under this program therefore focuses on niche experiences such as WWll battlefield tours, traditional culinary experience with farm to table and reef to fork concepts, Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and conservation guided tours, mangrove forest and farming tours.

The program concluded with a trial of each product which reaffirmed to participating communities the need for a whole of island approach to tourism development on Butaritari and that service providers plays an important role in elevating visitor experiences on the island.

TAK will conduct the remaining preparatory work for the Butaritari community-based tourism development and officially launch the products for sale in November 2022.

Kiritimati WASH Policy to benefit Tourism

September 2, 2022August 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Kiritimati WASH Policy development workshop on 16 and 17 August 2022 provided the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) officers in Kiritimati an excellent opportunity to better understand the importance of water and sanitation in tourism.

The workshop discussed opportunities to improve access to water and sanitation services on the island. TAK views the improvement in hygiene practices as essential to helping tourism businesses achieve 100% compliance to COVID-19 health and safety protocols once the island’s border reopens.

TAK’s participation in the review and drafting of the WASH Action Plan and Budget at the workshop also provided the tourism officers a better understanding of how it can assist tourism business operators implement key recommendations of the WASH policy once finalised.

It is envisaged that the Kiritimati WASH policy will support tourism in Kiritimati Island as it will encourage the water conservation system for all tourism business operators.

The Kiritimati WASH policy will aim to provide a framework that will improve access to water and sanitation services and to change hygienic practices in Kiritimati.

The workshop was hosted by the Kiritimati Urban Council, facilitated by the Kiribati Local Government Association (KILGA) and is funded by Wash project in Kiritimati, with financial assistance from the European Union and New Zealand government.

Tourism Authority Kiribati