Taare Rikiai – Page 20 – Kaongora Newsletter

TAK Conducts Tourism Restart Training on Makin

June 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

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

June 30, 2022June 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

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

June 30, 2022June 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

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

June 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

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

June 23, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

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.

International travel to Kiribati to begin 01 August 2022

June 18, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Government of Kiribati, through the Office of Te Beretitenti today announced that all international travel to and from Kiribati will return to normal on the 1st of August, 2022.

This official announcement also confirmed that the Government of Kiribati has reduced the compulsory in-country quarantine days for all travelers from seven (7) to three (3) days.

The announcement follows the Government of Kiribati’s confirmation that the country’s COVID-19 Alert Level has been reduced from 3b to 3c and it has relaxed the SOP guidelines currently being practiced as part of Kiribati’s preventive measures against COVID-19.

The New Public Health Order was effective from Friday 17th of June, 2022 and will remain for two weeks as the curfew hours have ceased for all islands that are infected by COVID-19.

Furthermore, inter-island travel will still be subject to the availability of quarantine centres on islands that are COVID-19 free.

Despite the relaxation of some of the SOP guidelines, the Government appeals to the general public to continue practicing health safety measures such as wearing masks in public and the continuation of handwashing to help stop the spread of the virus. The public is encouraged to visit clinics to receive vaccination and booster, 5 months after receiving second dose.

As of this week, the administration of the Pfizer vaccine for youths between the age of 12 and 17 years has commenced in South Tarawa and Betio. Parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure all their children are fully vaccinated to ensure the safety and well-being of their children and the general public.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati will share the full details of Kiribati’s August border reopening conditions in the coming days.

TAK commemorates World Oceans Day 2022

June 9, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) team joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Oceans Day on 08th June 2022 through a beach clean-up activity at the Betio Takoronga point WW2 Japanese Défense Vicker guns.

This year’s theme is ’Revitalization: collective action for the ocean’ and it was an opportune time to to raise awareness among people about the impact of human actions on the ocean and to call citizens for their sustainable management.

The TAK recognizes the significance the ocean plays to Kiribati economic growth as it accounts for 99% of our national boundary. Most of our life source comes from the ocean and its preservation is consistent with the aims of the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework.

The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people. This is part of the reason why TAK has committed to celebrating this global event annually as an attempt raise awareness on a resource that is vital to the sustainable growth of tourism in Kiribati.

The George Hotel receives Bakery Training

May 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a 4-day pastry baking training to 3 kitchen staff of the George Hotel from 16-19 May 2022.

The training was provided by the Assistant Training and Development Officer as a special request from the George Hotel to improve their kitchen staffs’ capability in baking as well as to enhance their pastry menu offered to guests.

In the midst of Covid-19 outbreak and the prolonged lockdown and curfews, George Hotel have been able to maintain its kitchen employees, and this had been possible through the provision of catering services as an alternative to the Hotel restaurant. The request for the bakery training enables the hotel to provide a variety of menu for breakfast or morning tea serves.

A total of eight recipes were shared during the training with practical sessions at the hotel’s kitchen. TAK encouraged the trainees to keep practicing their new recipes and improve their pastry menu and presentation to guests.

TAK signs MoU with China Tourism Academy

May 31, 2022May 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) through the Government of Kiribati (GoK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Tourism Academy (CTA) to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries for tourism development and promotions.

The signing took place on the margins of the official visit of the State Councillor of the People’s Republic of China and Foreign Minister, His Excellency Wang Yi and his delegation on Friday 27th of May, 2022.

The MoU promotes the development of the Kiribati tourism industry and promotion of the destination in China in the areas of program and market research, destination marketing and promotions, capacity building and training, and participation in international tourism seminars and events

His Excellency Taneti Maamau acknowledged the visit of H.E. Wang Yi and his delegation which demonstrates China’s commitment to enhancing mutual trust, building consensus, expanding cooperation, and deepening friendship with the Republic of Kiribati.

The signing of the MoU formalises TAK’s partnership with CTA and it prepares for a safe, smart and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

Kiribati elected to Chair Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)

May 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), Petero Manufolau was appointed Chair to the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Board of Directors at its bi-annual meeting on Wednesday May, 25th 2022.

In acknowledging the selection by the SPTO Board, Manufolau noted the importance of the opportunity, especially for a Small Island State like Kiribati.

“Though we are a small island state with a minute contribution to regional tourism, rest assured that we are determined to work collaboratively and innovatively with SPTO, its membership and key stakeholders to ensure sustainable, resilient, inclusive and prosperous tourism reactivation in the Pacific”.

TAK is grateful for this opportunity to serve regional tourism as Chair of the SPTO Board and will work with SPTO CEO, secretariat and members to advance the region’s post COVID-19 recovery and promote sustainable tourism development in the Pacific.

Tourism Authority Kiribati