Taare Rikiai – Page 22 – Kaongora Newsletter

Pacific Tourism Sector Snapshot

January 31, 2022January 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism sector snapshot for Kiribati compiled by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) provides an overview of the tourism sector before the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies new existing challenges and opportunities for the tourism industry.

It also includes an assessment of visitor arrivals, transportation networks, local accommodation, tourism industry employment, economic impact, governance and planning, destination marketing, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure.

This snapshot of Kiribati before the pandemic can help the government and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati assess the downturn and be able to find solutions to the sectors’ recovery.

Full information on Kiribati tourism sector snapshot can be accessed here

Kiribati continues with its vaccination program

January 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Kiribati received an additional 2200 doses of AstraZeneca from the Australian High Commission, on 24 January 2022.

The additional vaccines and recent deliveries of PPE and oxygen concentrators will help Kiribati to respond to the current COVID19 situation.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati, therefore, encourages all the tourism stakeholders, especially in South Tarawa to get vaccinated and assist Ministry of Health and Medical Services Kiribati in their work to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

TAK would also like to wish all our Australian friends and colleagues a Happy Australia Day.

Kiribati goes into Level 3 Lockdown

January 23, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Kiribati is currently on COVID-19 Level 3 Alert lockdown following the Government of Kiribati’s announcement yesterday of 4 confirmed community cases in South Tarawa and Buota. This is following the announcement by the Office of Te Beretitenti on 19 January 2022 that 36 of the 54 passengers that arrived on the repatriation flight from Nadi, Fiji on 10 January 2022 had tested positive for COVID-19 as well .

Government has appealed to elders, church, island councils, community and youth leaders for their support and cooperation to protect and safeguard people’s and the nation’s health during this time. Government expressed that the only way to fight the virus is to be fully vaccinated and is urging all eligible citizens to complete their vaccination.

Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) officials are currently conducting contact tracing for the 4 additional cases and will issue further updates in due course.

The lockdown advise requires a 24-hour curfew for all residence. A 6am to 2pm movement exception is extended only to those that need to purchase of essential food items from within their local zones. All Government Offices and SOEs will be closed, and staffs will work remotely from home. Essential and emergency services however will remain open.

Outer island travel will only be allowed to those returning to Tarawa for health and medical reasons. All air and sea departures from Tarawa is currently suspended.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) reiterates the call from government on the need for all eligible citizens to complete their vaccination. TAK therefore urges tourism operators to encourage their staffs to be fully vaccinated and protect themselves from COVID-19.

All accommodation operators in Kiribati have received the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality COVID-19 safety protocol training and TAK is confident that these operators will ensure that the protocols are being activated given the current COVID-19 situation.

The TAK office will be closed from tomorrow, Monday 24 January until further notice. However, all staffs will be working remotely from home and will ensure that all communications are responded to on a timely manner.

TAK Begins 2022 Community Tourism Program

January 14, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) began its 2022 Community Tourism Program with a roadside and waterfront clean up along the Bonriki Causeway and Nawerewere on Saturday 08 January 2022.

Supported by the Minister of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC), Honourable Booti Nauan, the program also included participation from the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development (MELAD) and the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD), MTCIC, Nei Mom Uprising, The POSSIBILITY Network Group and the Nawerewere community. Refreshments were provided compliments of the Kiribati Islands Conservation Society (KICS).

A total of 80 bags of plastic and solid waste was collected through this initiative.

TAK hopes that the participation of local communities will help reinforce the message that tourism is everyone’s business, and that everyone has an important role to play for the safe, smart, and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

TAK will conduct similar programs on the first Saturday of every month and welcomes the support and participation of all government ministries, private sector operators, non-governmental organisation, civil societies, and local communities.

Kiribati border open to I-Kiribati nationals and essential TA’S only.

January 14, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Government of Kiribati reaffirmed that the country’s border reopening from 10 January 2022 is limited to Kiribati nationals and essential Technical Assistants (TA) only. Holiday and leisure travel by foreign nationals into Kiribati will remain closed and any amendment to this condition will be advised once approved.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement and acknowledges that this partial reopening takes the destination a step closer towards the organisations vision for a safe, smart, and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

The Kiribati COVID-19 Task-force in its press statement delivered on Tuesday 11th January 2022 emphasized that the opening of the borders will consider the “New Normal” travel conditions based on an updated travel Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Kiribati. All arrivals into Kiribati will be controlled through the major ports on South Tarawa.

The Taskforce further clarified that all inbound travellers will be thoroughly monitored, and passengers will be strictly checked before departure and upon arrival in Kiribati. All incoming passengers will be required to provide proof of vaccination, COVID-19 test results, and will be quarantined upon arrival. Extra quarantine days for travellers from high-risk countries will be imposed in line with updated travel SOPs to safeguard Kiribati from COVID-19.

The Taskforce confirmed that travellers from countries with active community transmissions of COVID-19 like Fiji and Australia, are required to be quarantined ten days before their departure and to be tested 48 hours before their flights. Upon arrival, these passengers will be tested again and quarantined for 14 days. Passengers who test positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to board inbound flights.

Inbound travellers from COVID-19 free countries like the Nauru and the Marshall Islands are also required to have their tests 48 hours before departure. Upon arrival, these passengers will be tested again by the medical team and required to spend 7 days in quarantine.

The Taskforce wishes to assure the public that the Government will strictly implement its new SOPs to ensure that Kiribati is safeguarded from COVID-19 and its new variants.

TAK conducts Eco-Tourism Consultation on Maiana Island

January 4, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority Kiribati (TAK) conducted follow up community eco-tourism consultations on Maiana Island, south of the country’s capital Tarawa from 08 – 18 December 2021.

Funded through the Least Developed Countries Fund’s (LDCF) project to enhance food security in the context of global climate change, this recent activity by TAK aimed to promote community based eco-tourism development on Maiana Island.

As a follow up consultation, this activity involved the education and promotion of community-based sustainable tourism initiatives including eco-tourism and agri-tourism amongst the island’s communities.

Maiana Island offers an excellent mix of niche experiences including saltwater fly fishing, cultural tours and TAK believes that concepts such as farm to table and nature-based tourism will complement the island’s existing niche products.

TAK concluded their activity on Maiana with their participation at the island’s cultural trade event where locals showcased their rich heritage through arts and craft, local cuisine, and traditional sports.

Nonouti Island presents Opportunities for Tourism

January 5, 2022January 4, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Located south of the equator, the island of Nonouti is better known for being home to Kiribati’s largest and oldest maneaba known as ‘te Aake’ or the ark.

Through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) project in the context of global climate change, Nonouti is undergoing an eco-tourism product development which aims to use tourism as a means of enhancing food security on the island.

Under this arrangement, 6 villages and communities of Nonouti underwent eco-tourism product development awareness training on how sustainable tourism development can improve the islands socio-cultural, environmental, and economic well-being.

Nonouti’s tourism potential includes its designated marine protected area tours, cultural and historical attractions, bonefishing, local culinary experiences and agritourism products.

TAK will continue to work with the 6 selected villages and communities in Nonouti to develop their own unique tourism products which should be available for travellers to experience when Kiribati’s international borders open in 2022.

Scheduled International Flights to begin from 10 January 2022

January 4, 2022January 4, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement by The President, His Excellency Taneti Maamau for the gradual reopening to Kiribati’s international border from 10 January 2022.

Speaking to Radio Kiribati, President Maamau confirmed that this will begin with scheduled international flight into Tarawa once every 2 weeks. Through this arrangement, all international travellers arriving in Kiribati will be required to comply with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) standard operating procedures.

Travellers will need to present proof of full vaccination 14 days prior to departure to MHMS, undergo a 10-day pre-departure quarantine with negative COVID-19 test and a further COVID-19 free test result 72 hours prior to departure. Once in Kiribati, visitors will undergo 14 days mandatory quarantine at their own cost.

TAK acknowledges that the scheduled fortnightly flights will present Kiribati tourism operators with renewed business opportunities following the 21 months closure of the country’s international borders.

The Authority has delivered COVID-19 protocol training for registered accommodation providers in the Gilbert and Line islands to prepare them for the resumption of international travel into Kiribati.

Kiritimati Hotels complete COVID-19 safety training.

January 4, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

90% of the total employees of Kiritimati Island hotels and accommodation providers have now completed the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal training funded through the US Embassy’s Economic Recovery Grant.

The Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal is a set of COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines for tourism enterprises. Developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS), the protocols cover accommodation, transport, restaurant and bars, employee safety and the safe disposal of COVID-19 related waste.

The Inn Pacific, established in February 2020 was the latest Kiritimati accommodation provider to undergo the two-day COVID-19 safety protocol training by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) on 30 and 31 December 2021.

The remaining 10% of tourism employees in Kiritimati will undergo their COVID-19 protocol training in January 2022.

TAK Plans for 2022

January 3, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Board of Directors, Management and staffs underwent a 2-day retreat to review its 2021 workplan outcomes and finalise the organisation’s 2022 workplan at Tabon Te Keekee Eco Lodge in Abatao North Tarawa from 28 – 30 December 2021.

The retreat presented TAK the opportunity to measure its performance in 2021 and assess and acknowledge lessons learnt from what has been described as another challenging year for international travel and tourism.

Through the participation of its Board of Directors, TAK was also able to review its strategic priorities based on the provisions of the Kiribati Tourism Act 2018.

The retreat also allowed TAK and its Board of Directors to extensively discuss Kiribati’s Tourism Restart Program and how the organisation’s 2022 workplan must be aligned to achieving the destinations reopening priorities.

In her closing remarks, Board Chairperson, Ms Aako Teikake congratulated TAK management and staffs on their diligence throughout 2021 and encouraged the team to remain focused on the deliverables set out for 2022.

Tourism Authority Kiribati