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Tourism Awareness in Primary Schools

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) commenced its Primary School Tourism Awareness program on South Tarawa from 25 July 2022.

The goal of the program is to provide students with an understanding of tourism’s contribution to its economic, environment and social-cultural wellbeing. It also enhances the students’ understanding of tourism attractions that Kiribati offers and their role in society that can contribute to a safe, smart and sustainable tourism development for Kiribati.

The awareness also enlightened students with a tourism song composed by TAK to reinforce its tourism message in a fun manner. The song highlights the main motivations of a traveller, the responsibility of the citizen with the hospitable nature of the local people and the contributions of the young generation to tourism development.

TAK acknowledges the ongoing support of the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) in endorsing this tourism awareness program and looks forward to reaching out to all primary schools across the country.

 

TAK welcomes Miss Kiribati 2022

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) welcomed Miss Kiribati 2022, Ms. Paepae Kilei and hosted her to an Industry update and a morning tea at its office in, Takoronga, Betio on Wednesday 27 July 2022.

TAK appreciates that Miss Kiribati winners serve as national ambassadors through advocacy and recognizes that in during her reign, Ms. Paepae will play such important role in promoting Kiribati as an ideal tourism destination.

In her speech, Miss Kiribati welcomed the opportunity to assist TAK in destination marketing and looks forward to learning a lot about tourism over the next 12 months.

Miss Kiribati was accompanied by a representative from her sponsor, Central Pacific Produces Limited (CPPL) and mother.

 

TAK participates in Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in a Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) on a short course on Strategies in Developing and Managing Sustainable Muslim Friendly Destinations and Products from 19 – 27 July 2022.

Senior Tourism Officer Mr Tekonaba Teburea and Tourism Officer Ms. Maaba Katirite participated in the training.

Part of the one-week virtual training included a country report presentation and TAK took this opportunity to educate other participants and the host country about Kiribati.

Muslim Travellers is one of the fast-growing markets and one that has been targeted by other non-Muslim countries. TAK participation in this training has given both officers a better understanding of what a country needs to do to become a Muslim Friendly Destination.

The training concluded on Wednesday 27 July with a special award announcement.

Kiritimati Island Refresher for COVID-19 Safety Protocols

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) began its Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal refresher training for all tourism operators on Kiritimati Island starting from 14 July 2022.

The purpose of this refresher training is to ensure skills and knowledge learned during the initial training are still intact and that operators are well prepared when Kiritimati borders reopen.

Apart from the safety protocols training conducted, TAK also shared with participants a formula provided by the Ministry of Health and Medical Service on making sanitizers using bleach and water as a substitute in case the original sanitizer is out of stock on the island.

The first few operators who have received the refresher training have shown great results and TAK has no doubt that all tourism operators in Kiritimati Island will be ready when borders are finally open in August.

 

Abemama Community-based Tourism Products Launched

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Kiribati Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC), Honourable Booti Nauan led a team of government officials to launch the Abemama Island Community-based Tourism Program developed by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) from 22 to 25 July 2022.

Abemama was selected to pilot this community-based tourism product development initiative through LDCF1 Food Security Project coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Land and Agricultural Development (MELAD).

The launch coincides with the country’s international border reopening from 01 August 2022 which aims to make Abemama a sustainable tourism ready island that offers responsible, safe and community-based tourism experiences.

At the launch, Honorable Minister Nauan encouraged participants to continue their commitment to their tourism businesses as it will enable the island to gain international recognition for its pristine environment, turquoise lagoon, unique attractions, rich history and warm hospitality.

6 communities and an accommodation provider are part of this program, which combined and will deliver a 5-days 3-days island off the beaten track packages.  Experiences offered through in these packages include cultural performances, marine-based activities, resilient farming tours and local Kiribati cuisine.

Participating communities and operator were provided with certificates of recognition for their contributions to the safe, smart and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

 

TAK Conducts Tourism Restart Training on Makin

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a Tourism Restart Training for tourism operators on Makin Island from 07 – 17 June 2022.

The training was focused on preparing Makin Island tourism operators for a safe, smart and sustainable restart to international tourism when 2022 border reopen on 01 August 2022.  The 8-days training programme included Covid-19 Safety Protocols, Revenue Management, Tourism Business Fundamentals, and First Aid training.

Through these training, TAK believes that Makin tourism operators are now better informed and equipped to apply COVID-19 safety measures and protocols when hosting guests and are better prepared to manage first aid assistance if ever required.

Learnings form the revenue management and tourism business fundamentals training will also assist Makin tourism operators improve profitability for their respective businesses through effective marketing, product development and revenue management.

TAK also used their time on Makin Island to present the Makin Island Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) report to the full island council, and also undertook tourism awareness presentations at the Primary Schools and Junior Secondary Schools on Makin and Kiebu Islet.

Butaritari Tourism Product Development Consultation

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a 1-week consultation on Niche Tourism Product Development on Butaitari from 27 May – 2 June 2022.

The consultation was done with Keuea village, Ukiangang Meang and Maiaki, Bikaati islet and Tanimaiaki village, Te unimwaane association and Butaritari island council.

The five participating communities confirmed their tourism product offerings, and these include Marine Protected Area (MPA) tour, giant clam tour, mangrove forest tour, World War ll tours, including the bombing of Keuea and Kaukinanganga event, island cultural tour including Nantekei war dance, sports tourism (te uniwakaa), and agritourism.

The consultation included discussions on product development stages, product quality and pricing and a training workshop on tourism package development.

Through this mission, TAK helped establish the Butaritari Tourism Development Working Committee (BTDWC) as a standing committee of the island council. The BTDWC will be mandated to oversee the development and management of tourism product development and other tourism related activities on the island.

The Butaritari island council and the new working committee have extended their full support to TAK to help develop Butaritari as a resilient and sustainable tourism destination.

 

Plastic Repurposing for Sustainable Tourism in Abemama

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in partnership with Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) within the Ministry of Environment Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD) completed the 1-week training on the plastic waste repurposing on the island of Abemama from 20 – 24 June 2022.

The workshop is a follow-on training from the Pacific Tourism Organisation’s (SPTO) Pacific Tourism Waste Action Initiative (PTWAI) where participants from the PTWAI training shared their skills with the participants in Abemama.

Abemama is the first island selected through Urban Development Project Phase II – Solid Waste Management Project to pilot 1-week plastic waste repurposing training.

The training is also part of TAK and the ECD’s initiative to support Kiribati’s sustainable tourism goals through the upcycling of plastic waste into valuable jewellery and artifacts that can be sold to travellers that visit the island.

Chairlady of the women councillor in Abemama, Mrs Bikenteiti Rutio said that “such a program was an opportunity for them to acquire new skills and knowledge for a new revenue stream”.

Acting Island clerk Mrs Teitirua Tekamau also commented that the “initiative not only assisted with minimizing plastic wastes to support clean, safe, and healthy environment of Abemama but also to boost the economy through the women’s creativity”.

18 women representatives from the island’s women’s council participate in the event. The program was funded by the Urban Development Project – Solid Waste Management Project and implemented under the Environment and Conservation Division.

Kiritimati Hotels awards Mauri Mark ratings

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) as part of its Tourism Restart Program completed the Mauri Mark assessment for Kiritimati Island accommodation providers.

The Mauri Mark program which was re-launched in 2021 involves the assessment of licensed accommodation providers for business operations, fire safety procedures, health & safety hygiene standards, facilities including in-room facilities, environmental sustainability practices and guest support services.

Properties awarded with Mauri Mark rating standards include Ikari House, The Village hotel, Inn Pacific, and Sunset Horizon Fishing.

The Mauri Mark ratings offer travellers an indication of the standards and services they can expect from a Kiritimati hotel when booking their accommodation on the island.

TAK is working with other accommodation providers on the island to conduct their Maur Mark assessment prior to border reopening on 01 August 2022.

The Mauri Mark program is an annual tourism operator’s standards accreditation rating program and assessments will be carried out on an annual basis.

Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) Presentation in Butaritari

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) through its Research and Statistics Division presented the Butaritari Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) report to the island council Mayor, Acting Clerk, Te Unimwane Chairman and other local people who attended the TAK workshop on tourism product development in Butaritari.

The presentation highlighted the key points of the Butaritari OIPS results which analysed after the survey was conducted on the island in August 2021. The results highlighted the local peoples’ perceptions on tourism on Butaritari. It simplified the data in an understandable format, especially since many of the audience were did not have tourism or statistics backgrounds.

The presentation further outlined what the people thought were the impacts of tourism to their communities. Important areas such as the island’s tourism potential and uniqueness which distinguished it from the rest of Kiribati were also discussed.

Lastly the ways forward on developing Butaritari to becoming a sustainable tourism destination were also shared with the audience.

It is hoped that this information will be shared with the community members by those that were present at the presentations.

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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