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Kiribati hosts 2021 Tourism Restart Forum

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) officially opened its 2021 Kiribati Tourism Restart Forum with the theme Preparing Kiribati for a Safe, Smart and Sustainable Restart to Tourism today in South Tarawa, Tuesday 14 December.

The forum aims to create a platform where key local stakeholders can dialogue and engage with international travel and tourism experts on tourism border reopening priorities and to be informed of best practices for the resumption of international tourism in Kiribati.

Day 1 of this 2 days has been successful in bringing together government leaders and representatives, private sector, development partners, civil society, regional organisations, training institutions, faith-based organisation and local communities to dialogue and discuss tourism restart opportunities for Kiribati. As a hybrid event, the forum also includes international online participants.

In her address, Chief Guest and Minister for Employment & Human Resources, Honourable Taabeta Amuera Teakai acknowledged the work that the TAK has carried out since border closure in 2020. Hon. Teakai also applauded the Authority for its proactive approach to preparing the tourism industry for the new normal in tourism through its Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal.

A line-up of distinguished local and international experts in public health and safety, destination management, airline marketing, niche tourism, environment conversation and trade and investment are presenting at this event.

The Kiribati Tourism Restart Forum continues Wednesday 15 December, and virtual participation will be available through  https://corporate.visitkiribati.travel/tourismforum/

COVID-19 Safety Protocol Training in Kiritimati

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in Kiritimati Island continued its the Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal training for accommodation providers, tour operators and fishing guides on the island throughout November 2021.

The training is based on COVD-19 safety protocols for the tourism and hospitality sector and is part of TAK’s tourism restart program as Kiribati prepares for border reopening in 2022.

To date, 85% of all tourism employees on the island have completed this training and the remaining 15% are scheduled to receive their training in December 2021.

Refresher training for these employees will be conducted once a definite border reopening date is set.

The program was developed through the Economic Recovery Grant program of the United States of America’s Embassy in Fiji’s.

 

Kiribati to host Tourism Forum

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In preparation for border re-opening in 2022, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) will host the Kiribati Tourism Restart Forum on 14 & 15 December 2021 with the theme Preparing Kiribati for a Safe, Smart and Sustainable Restart to Tourism.

The forum will bring together leaders and stakeholders in government, private sector, development partners, civil society, regional organisations, training institutions, and local communities.

A line-up of distinguished local and international experts in public health and safety, destination management, airline marketing, niche tourism, environment conversation and trade and investment will feature in this first ever tourism forum for Kiribati tourism.

TAK will also use the forum update its stakeholders on the organisation’s Tourism Restart Program which include COVID-19 tourism safety protocols, the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework, Digital Marketing Strategy, Tourism Investment Promotion and the Mauri Mark Program.

The forum will provide a platform for stakeholders to share ideas and experiences and to discuss suggested best practices for Kiribati to consider as it maps the way forward towards a SAFE, SMART & SUSTAINABLE RESTART to Tourism.

The event is also open to virtual participation and registration is now open on  https://corporate.visitkiribati.travel/tourismforum/

Abemama hotels prepare for Tourism Restart

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAKI) conducted a one-week training on Customer Service, Basic Housekeeping and Hospitality, Revenue Management and Kiribati Tourism and Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal / COVID-19 Safety Protocols at the women’s center in Abemama.

The Tourism Restart training program is designed to help prepare tourism business operators for border reopening in January 2022.

Participants of the workshop included employees from the three hotels, Abemama Island Guesthouse, Green Eco-lodge, St. Anthony Parish Hotel and representatives from Reina Community and Ainen Wiikin Abemama Ecotourism Communities.

The program included the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all participating organisation, funded by the US Embassy’s Economic Recovery Grant.

Similar programs and training have been delivered in South Tarawa, North Tarawa, Abaiang, Butaritari, Marakei, Tab South, Tab North and Kiritimati. TAK will deliver the same training in the remaining islands of the Gilbert and Line Islands prior to border reopening.

 

 

 

 

TAK Supports Abemama ‘Tania ni Maeu’ By-law

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in the Tania ni Maeu By-law consultation in Abemama in November 2021. Led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the Tania ni Maeu By-law is part of the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) project aims to assist Abemama sustain its resources from exploitation and envisages to regenerate and safeguard the natural and cultural resources of the island.

TAK used the consultation as an opportunity to highlight the benefits of ecotourism to Abemama communities and how the Tania ni Maeu By-law will help contribute to the sustainable development of tourism on the island.

The consultation also included representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Cooperative (MCIC), Ministry of Fisheries and Resources Development (MFRD), Ministry of Environment, Land & Agricultural Development (MELAD) and Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

 

Abemama hotels undergo Business Fundamentals Training

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted the Tourism Business Fundamentals training for Abemama tourism operators on 23 November 2021 at the Green Eco Hotel in Kariatebike, Abemama.

The training is a response to the tourism business operators needs assessment survey conducted by earlier in 2021. Topics covered in the training included pre and post covid-19 trends in tourism, tourism product development and marketing, human resources management, and the importance of community engagement for tourism business operators.

Six (6) tourism operators participated in this one-day training workshop. These included Green Eco Hotel, Island Council Guesthouse, Terineraoi community in Reina Village, Baretoa village which supports ecotourism package.  Saint Anthony Parish Hotel and Abatiku will undergo separate training in the coming days.

The Tourism Business Fundamentals training is part of TAK’s Tourism Restart Program, where TAK is preparing tourism operators for a smart and sustainable restart to tourism.  Similar trainings will be conducted in the other islands in the Gilbert group and as well as Tabuaeran and Teraina in the Line Islands.

 

Ecotourism Business Consultation in Abemama

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) partnered with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC) to conduct ecotourism business consultation on Abemama Island from 22 – 27 November 2021.

Led by TAK Senior Marketing and Promotion Officer Sarah Reymond, the team conducted village and community ecotourism consultation, followed by the formulation of ecotourism business plans for selected communities on the island.

The ecotourism business plan development was supplemented by product development, pricing strategies, marketing and social media promotions and the Kiribati Mauri Mark standards training.

Participants expressed appreciation for the program and acknowledged that ecotourism has great potential for island communities.

Based on the business plans developed, these communities will work with TAK and MCIC to register their ecotourism businesses. They will continue to be guided as they work towards developing and launching their ecotourism products ahead of Kiribati’s international border reopening in 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Betio commemorates WW2 78th Anniversary

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Betio commemorates WW2 78th Anniversary

Betio communities, in partnership with the Betio Town Council (BTC) and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) commemorated the 78th anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa through a clean-up of World War 2 relics on the island of Betio, South Tarawa on 20 November 2021.

The Battle of Tarawa was fought on 20–23 November 1943 between the United States and Japan on Betio. It was part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts and was the first large-scale encounter between US Marines and Japan’s Special Naval Landing Forces.

The war relics on Betio hold a significant place in Kiribati’s history and they serve as a reminder of one of the bloodiest encounters in the US’s World War 2 campaign in the Pacific.

These relics are scattered throughout Betio and the clean up program included the relics in Takoronga, Temakin and Read Beach sites. In addition, the communities also undertook a thorough clean-up of the Japanese and Korean monuments on the island.

TAK is responsible for the management of all World War 2 relics across Kiribati and is working closely with communities and local authorities to develop sustainable means of preserving them.

Butaritari Island commemorates WW2 Anniversary

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The village of Ukiangang on the Island of Butaritari hosted Te Kaukinangananga, the 78th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Makin (Butaritari) on Saturday 20 November 2021. The Battle of Makin was an engagement of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 20 to 24 November 1943, on Butaritari.

Led by the Mayor of Butaritari, Burantemwanoku Timon, the event began with a parade of students of Teinaura Primary School and members of Ukiangang community.

The lone survivor from the 1943, Mr. Aroua Kauriri gave an account of his recollections of those few days as a young boy. Mr. Kauriri added that “Ukiangang village had 5 bunkers during World War 2. At the height of the American attack on the Japanese in 1943, 1 of the bunkers housing Ikiribati nationals was blown up killing them all. This is why the villagers have put up a memorial shrine at the site to remember and honour the lives of the I-Kiribati lost on the day”. He added that the celebration is also a reminder of a part of Kiribati’s history that must never be forgotten.

Mayor Burantemwanoku added that Te Kaukinangananga is one of two annual World War 2 memorial events hosted on the island. The Butaritari Island Council is also working on its plan for a bigger commemoration event for the 80th anniversary in 2023.

As cultural customary practices would require, the celebration also included traditional entertainment, a re-enactment of the World War 2 events and conclude with an island feast made up of a selection of fresh seafood, and fruits and vegetables which Butaritari is well regarded for.

The event was attended by representatives from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), Culture & Museum Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and an Outer Island Integrated Energy Roadmap Project team from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE).

 

 

 

TAK Supports Circular Economy Initiative

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) this week participated at the Bazaar, a circular economy initiative by the Environment Conservation Division (ECD) of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD).

Based on the theme of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover’, the Bazaar showcased how plastic, organic and other waste materials can be repurposed into valuable items such as jewelries, flower vase, door mats, and other decorative items. The Bazaar also promoted how natural waste such as tree branches. leaves and seaweed should be reused for domestic purposes such organic fertilizers.

TAK partnered with renown local artist Nei Tekarawa Kilifi who showcased repurposed plastic items that she crafted following her participation at the Kiribati Pacific Tourism Plastic Repurposing Training that was conducted on Tarawa in December 2020.

In January 2021, the Creative Tourism Network awarded TAK with the Best Strategy in Creative Tourism Development during the Creative Tourism Awards for its Pacific Tourism Plastic Repurposing Program. TAK is committed to continue its work in this aspect of the circular economy as it progresses towards strengthening sustainable tourism development across Kiribati.

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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