Tourism Authority Kiribati

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Kiribati welcomes first commercial flight since border lockdown

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Tarawa, Kiribati was in celebration mode as the island converged at Bonriki International Airport on Thursday 04 August 2022 to welcome the country’s first commercial flight, 2 ½ years since COVID-19 border lockdown.

Fiji Airways’ FJ231 landed at Bonriki International Airport with more than one hundred passengers at 11am and were welcomed by the Ngaon Nareau choir whose chants and singing echoed welcoming sounds of the islands throughout the terminal building.

Also present to celebrate the occasion was Minister of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC), Honourable Booti Nauan. In an interview, Honourable Nauan said that he hoped visitors will enjoy their Kiribati experience. He also extended an invitation to them saying “take the time to learn about who we are as a people and the values that we hold dear to our hearts. Immerse yourself in our tropical islands and turquoise lagoons and most importantly, remember to make the most of your time here in Kiribati”.

At the arrival’s concourse, passengers were greeted by reigning Miss Kiribati, Paepae Kilei and staff of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) who garlanded travellers and returning resident’s with katokabau, the traditional Kiribati floral head piece presented to special guests.

Entertainment by the Tekeang ni Marawa dance group at the arrivals area filled the terminal building with more excitement as some passengers could not resist the invitation to join the dancers as they made their way to their eagerly awaiting hosts and families. For many of these travellers, its was a happy and emotional reunion after having being separated from their families for a very long time.

The first commercial flight to Tarawa yesterday is a significant milestone achievement and represents the Government of Kiribati’s efforts to manage COVID-19 and to bring back some normalcy to its tourism industry.

Discussions on the resumption of flights into Kiribati’s second international airport and fly-fishing mecca, Kiritimati (Christmas Island) this year is continuing and the TAK will share reopening details once information is available.

Air Kiribati welcomes new aircraft.

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Domestic carrier, Air Kiribati welcomed an addition to its fleet with a celebration at the airline’s Bonriki International Airport hangar on Saturday 30 July 2022.  The event was attended by the Minister for Information, Communication and Transport (MICT), Honourable Tekeeua Tarati, Air Kiribati Board of Directors, Management and staff.

The 19-seater Vikings Twin Otter 400 series is the latest version of the aircraft type and features a full glass cockpit.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed this addition to Air Kiribati’s fleet, noting that it will help increase connectivity and frequency of air access to the outer Gilbert group of islands.

TAK Deputy CEO, Reeti Onorio added, “the timing could not have been better as Kiribati open’s its international borders from 01 August 2022”. She added “Air Kiribati plays a vital role in the development and sustainability of tourism in Kiribati and that TAK looks forward to cooperating with the airline to boost the sector’s growth across the destination”.

Kiribati Border Reopening to Reinvigorate Tourism.

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The Kiribati border reopening from Monday 01 August 2022 is expected to revive the nation’s tourism sector since its international border closure in March 2020, due to the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Deputy CEO, Reeti Onorio says “Kiribati’s international border closure of 2 years and 4 months has had devastating impact of tourism operators across the destination but there is optimism for a sustainable return to normalcy as we begin welcoming visitors from August 2022’.

Local tourism operator and owner of Terau Beach Bungalows Abaiang, Tiinai Kaboua shares the same sentiments and says that she is very excited that Kiribati borders are finally open. She added, “I cannot wait to meet our guest and share our culture with them. I’m just excited that business will be back to normal.”

Mary’s Motel Supervisor Teretia Teitiaki said “the past few years has been a struggle as we could not operate as per normal, but we are happy and excited that Kiribati borders are finally open, as we are now able to have our staff work full time. Now, we are fully booked with visitors coming to Kiribati for work”.

Flights to Kiribati will begin with a weekly Fiji Airways service from Nadi to Tarawa whilst regional carrier Solomon Airlines will operate a fortnightly service from Brisbane (via Honiara) in August and September which will be amended to a weekly service from 01 October 2022. Nadi and Honiara will serve as connecting hubs from key source markets of Australia, New Zealand, North America and Asia Direct weekly flights from Honolulu and Nadi to Kiribati’s second international port, Kiritimati is expected to begin later in the year.

To ease travel to Kiribati, the Government of Kiribati has removed its pre-departure COVID-19 test and quarantine requirement upon arrival. However, travellers must be fully vaccinated and will be required to undertake a COVID-19 clinic test within 3 days of arrival.

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.