Taare Rikiai – Page 24 – Kaongora Newsletter

TAK hosts Pinktober Awareness

October 29, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) completed the month of October by hosting a morning tea for its staffs to raise awareness on breast cancer on Friday 29 October 2022.

Every year in October, countries all around the world celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, known to many as “Pinktober.” There are many campaigns held by women’s health charities and community organizations that shed light on the prevailing issue and TAK has this year decided to do the same for its employees.

The event began with a breast cancer awareness presentation from the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS). This was followed by a presentation from I-Kiribati cancer survivor, Nei Lita Iabeta who’s first encounter with breast cancer began 23 years ago.

Nei Lita shared a personal account of her journey with breast cancer, highlighting the challenges she faced when first diagnosed, her experience with treatments and surgery and the support she received from her family and friends. She also expressed how her faith had a huge part to play throughout her experience. Whilst she has not been medically cleared of cancer, Nei Lita continues to live life to the fullest with a positive attitude and sharing her experience in the hope that it helps other women in her community.

In both presentations, TAK staffs were reminded of the importance of understanding the early detection and symptoms of breast cancer. The presenters also shared the value of a well-balanced diet and how an active lifestyle can also help reduce the impact of breast cancer.

The event concluded with a sumptuous morning tea themed to suit the occasion.

Mauri Mark Accommodation Standards for Kiritimati

October 28, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted its first awareness on the revamped Mauri Mark Accommodation Standards for accommodation providers in Kiritimati Island on Friday 22 October 2021.

Launched on World Tourism Day 2021, the revamped Mauri Mark program is Kiribati’s new rating system for tourism accommodation, restaurant & bars, small leisure crafts and activity/ tour operators. The program will involve the annual assessment of tourism businesses based on a set of pre-determined criteria and the subsequent allocation of rates based on scores achieved.

The awareness program in Kiritimati focused only on accommodation. Once accredited, Kiritimati hotels and lodges are encouraged to use their ratings as an indicator of quality standards of services. Ratings will also guide travellers when booking their accommodation on Kiritimati.

TAK Deputy CEO, Reeti Onorio highlighted during the training that accommodation providers will be required to satisfy all Mauri Mark criteria as a requirement under Tourism Act 2018 and that all rated hotels and lodges will be issued Mauri Mark rating certificates, electronic Mauri Mark badge and stickers for display within their premises.

The awareness program is part of the TAK’s tourism restart program and all registered accommodation providers will be assessed from January 2022.

New Commercial Complex opens in Kiritimati

October 26, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

Kiritimati Island’s newest commercial complex building was officially opened on Friday 15 October 2021 by the Honourable Mikarite Temari, Minister of Line and Phoenix Island (MLPID).

Owned by the Kiribati Provident Fund (KPF), the complex is a first of its kind on the island and boasts 30 rooms, 6 of which are apartments and 24 commercial lease space.

Also present at the event was a delegation from the capital city Tarawa including government ministers, development partners, government and state-owned enterprise officials and partner business owners.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) congratulates KPF for their investment on Kiritimati. TAK agrees that such a development will help enhance visitor shopping experience and will offer modern accommodation option for leisure and business travellers.

TAK joins World Food Day celebration

November 15, 2021October 25, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) joined the World Food Day celebration at Betio, South Tarawa today. The event was organized by the Agriculture and Livestock Division of the Ministry of Environment, Lands & Agricultural Development (MELAD), with the theme “Our actions are our future – better production and better life for resilient islands and resilient communities”.

TAK presented the value of agritourism at the event, highlighting the opportunities that exist for a ‘farm to table’ concept, utilising local produce.

Product Development Officer Kiarake Karuaki shared the importance of food in the travel industry, and how local communities play a pivotal role in the development of small farms and well managed ocean catch to help improve travellers’ culinary experiences. In her presentation, Karuaki showcased the traditional food journey and highlighted that every step of the food journey is important to creating authentic and memorable experiences for visitors.

TAK is working with local island communities to develop agritourism products. One such community is the Reina Community in Abemama which has undergone numerous product development trainings and will be assisted once Kiribati’s international borders reopen.

Tourism Restart Program rolled out in Kiritimati Island

October 22, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The announcement by His Excellency, Te Beretitenti, Taneti Maamau in September to open Kiribati’s borders in January 2022 has prompted the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) to begin rolling out its Tourism Restart Program in Kiritimati Island.

A key component to the Kiribati Restart Program is the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal, a set of safety protocols designed to assist tourism business operators to protect their guests and staffs against the threat of COVID-19 when borders reopen in January 2022.

The training was delivered on the 20^th and 21^st of October at the Inn Pacific Motel, Kiritimati and was attended by accommodation providers from around the island.

In his official address, the Minister for Line & Phoenix Islands Development (MLPID) Honorable Mikarite Temari urged the tourism operators to take the training seriously. He encouraged participants to capture as much as possible from these safety protocols.

He said that “as frontline staff, the future of border reopening for Kiritimati depends on how confident and ready you are to receive international visitors”.

Honourable Temari added that MLPID plans to have Kiritimati be the first to open its international border however this will depend on COVID0-19 safety protocols compliance by all tourism business operators.

Participants of the workshop included employees from the Villages hotel, Lagoon View hotel, Inn Pacific motel, Mauri Delights apartment, Sunset Horizon Fishing Lodge, The Little Flower Guesthouse and Ikari house.

The training included simulation exercises on each recommended protocol to allow participants to better grasp the significance of the compliance measures, particularly since Kiritimati has been COVID-19 safe since the pandemic broke out. Participants will also be assisted with a supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

In thanking the trainers, Mr Bureieta from the Village Hotel shared that all tourism operators in Kiritimati look forward to the reopening of the border as the hotel industry has been the most affected during this pandemic. He also expressed that they were equally conscious of the risks of COVID- 19 and will ensure that they are all fully compliant and well prepared for the reopening.

The protocol and training were funded through the US Embassy’s Economic Recovery Grant and supported by the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) and the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI).

Kiritimati Island Mayor Supports Tourism Restart Program

September 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in Kiritimati also celebrated World Tourism Day on 27^th September 2021 at Linnix Compound in London, Kiritimati Island.

The event was attended by government representatives, Kiritimati tourism operators, and non-governmental organization representatives.

In his official address, chief guest, and Mayor of Kiritimati, Natua Teiti, highlighted the importance of the theme of World Tourism Day, “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”, and how stakeholders must work together to prepare Kiribati for the reopening of internal borders in January 2022.

Teiti added that the Government of Kiribati through TAK and supported by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), will be conducting COVID-19 protocol trainings to all tourism operators in October as part of the island’s border reopening program.

Mayor Teiti challenged and urged tourism operators in the Line Islands to work together in understanding and complying tourism safety protocols that have been developed by TAK.

Kiritimati is the world’s largest coral atoll and is a renowned fly fishing destination.

Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework Launched

October 6, 2021September 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) launched the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework (KSTDPF)during their UNWTO World Tourism Day celebration on Monday 27 September 2021.

In presenting the document, TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau shared that the KSTDPF frames Kiribati’s sustainable tourism goals with the aim to achieve a suitable balance between the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts of tourism to guarantee its long-term sustainability.

He added that the framework draws from the of aspirations of the Kiribati 20 Year Vision (KV20), the recommendations of the Pacific Sustainability Tourism Policy Framework 2021 (PSTPF), and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)/United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – Journey to 2030.

With 7 sustainable goals, the KSTDPF is integrated across other policy areas and discusses a set of priorities required to achieve each of these goals. It recommends that these priorities utilise Kiribati’s existing policies and legislations that address the core principles of environmental, socio-cultural, and economic development and to guide the ongoing development and management of tourism post COVID-19.

These goals include the commitment that tourism must protect the natural environment, it must preserve Kiribati’s cultural and historical heritage, promote community & social well-being, guarantee visitor satisfaction, health, and safety, contribute to national economic prosperity, inspire green entrepreneurship and to influence effective leadership.

The policy interventions recommended in the framework is consistent with existing international, regional, and national policies, strategies, and targets and is a result of extensive consultation and collaboration with key public and private sector partners in Kiribati and the region. These consultations have been important to the formulation of a set of priorities and action recommendations required to fulfil each of the 7 goals of the KSTDPF.

TAK believes the COVID-19 has presented Kiribati with the excellent opportunity for a smart and safe restart to tourism and that the goals and priorities of the framework will assist the organisation in helping fulfil its KV20 obligation for sustainable tourism development by 2036.

DOWNLOAD FRAMEWORK

Tourism Kiribati unveils new Mauri Mark Program

October 6, 2021September 29, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) unveiled the new Mauri Mark Program during their World Tourism Day celebration on Monday 27 September 2021.

The Mauri Mark program is Kiribati’s new rating system for tourism accommodation, restaurant & bars, small leisure crafts and activity/ tour operators. The program will involve the annual assessment of tourism businesses based on a set of pre-determined criteria and the subsequent allocation of rates based on scores achieved.

Under the accommodation rating, hotels and lodges will be assessed based on business operations, fire safety procedures, health and hygiene standards, safety & maintenance, facilities and in-room amenities, environmental sustainability practices and guest support service.

In presenting the program, TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau invited accommodation providers to use the program as an opportunity to improve quality and service delivery, particularly as the country prepares for international border reopening in January 2022. He acknowledged that change will not happen overnight but emphasized that programs such as the Mauri Mark will positively contribute to their vision for a sustainable tourism destination by 2036.

Once assessed, accommodation providers will be rated from 1 to 3plus coconuts. Properties will be awarded rating certificates and Mauri Mark badges which they can display on site or use in their marketing collaterals as an indicator of service and quality guests can expect.

TAK will undertake awareness training and will guide tourism operators on Mauri Mark standards compliance between October and December 2021 with assessments scheduled to begin in January 2022. Visitors to Kiribati from January 2022 should therefore be able to book hotels and lodges based on these new Mari Mark coconut ratings.

Click HERE for more information of the Mauri Mark Program

DOWNLOAD MAURI MARK – ACCOMMODATION

Kiribati celebrates World Tourism Day

September 28, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) celebrated World Tourism Day 2021 with the theme “Tourism Through Inclusive Growth, by unveiling its Tourism Restart Program in Betio South Tarawa.

The event was attended by government ministers, secretaries, members of the diplomatic corps, tourism operators, non-government organisations (NGO), and civil society representatives from Tarawa and Kiritimati.

TAK Chief Executive Officer, Petero Manufolau shared the organisation’s tourism restart program framework which aims to determine, clarify, and communicate what conditions and protocols will be needed to be adhered to for international travel to happen into Kiribati. The program also intends to prepare Kiribati tourism operators for the resumption of international travel through health, business, and marketing support.

In his presentation, Manufolau highlighted the 4 main components of the Kiribati Tourism Restart Program framework which includes COVID-19 Safety Protocols, the 2021 – 2023 Digital Marketing Strategy, the revised Mauri Mark Tourism Accreditation Program and the 2021 – 2036 Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework.

In his official address, Minister of Information, Communication, Transport & Tourism Development (MICTTD), Honourable Tekeeua Tarati acknowledged the work carried out by Tourism Authority of Kiribati over the past 18-months, in particular the efforts to develop and grow the domestic tourism market in Kiribati, and the development of the COVID-19 tourism safe protocols.

On the 09^th of September 2021, the Government of Kiribati, announced the opening of its international borders from January 2022 and part of TAK’s Tourism Restart Program will help prepare tourism stakeholders for the reopening.

Tourism Authority Kiribati