Taare Rikiai – Page 25 – Kaongora Newsletter

Tourism Restart Training in Tabiteuea North

September 22, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The island of Tabiteuea is an interesting place to visit not only for its natural beauty but also for its history. Bones and skull of a well-known warrior of Tabiteuea island, named Kourabi, is well kept and looked after by villagers of Buota until today. The story of Ten Nnabakana (stone warriors) erected between Teabuaeroa and Biken-te-Inai Islet, are still standing today.

From 01 – 10 September 2021, The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) visited Tabiteuea North to conduct trainings for Tabiteuea North and South tourism operators as part of its tourism restart program.

The 2 weeks training program included the Kiribati Tourism and Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal. This is compliance training designed to assist accommodation providers understand and deliver on the health and hygiene requirements of post COVID-19 travel. The protocol training concluded with the provision of hand sanitiser and face masks to all participating accommodation providers.

TAK also conducted an awareness session on the Mauri Mark Accommodation accreditation program which will be implemented from January 2022. In the session, accommodation providers were briefed on the Mauri Mark assessment guidelines and how ratings can help elevate the profile of their business and complement their marketing activities.

To help with preparations for international border reopening in January 2022, TAK also conducted tour guiding, service excellence, housekeeping and baking training. Participation to these sessions were extended to members of the island’s tourism potential communities.

The team from TAK also conducted consultations on the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework whilst in Tabiteuea North.

Tourism Kiribati Welcomes Border Re-opening Announcement

September 10, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement yesterday by te Beretitenti, His Excellency Taneti Maamau on his government’s decision to open Kiribati national borders from January 2022.

In his announcement, President Maamau urged the people of Kiribati who qualify for the COVID-19 vaccines to complete both their doses before the end year. He emphasized that unity and complying with restrictions and regulations is very important for the safety of all I-Kiribati. The President called on old men and women organizations, church groups, youth groups, women organizations, Islands Councils, communities and fathers and mothers in every household to help encourage family members and friends get vaccinated against this deadly virus.

Through its Tourism Restart Program, TAK has developed the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal and is currently undertaking COVID-19 safety protocol training for all accommodation providers. Properties in South Tarawa, North Tarawa, Abaiang, Tab North and Tab South have completed their training whilst the rest of accommodation and tourism service providers in other islands will receive their COVID-19 protocol training by November 2021. TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau confirmed that an industry-wide refresher training will be conducted in December 2021, prior to border reopening in January 2022.

As part of its restart program, TAK will also launch its Digital Marketing Strategy in September for implementation form October 2021, giving the Pacific Island destination 3 months to roll out its marketing campaigns and programs.

Travellers returning or visiting Kiribati for the first time in 2022 can expect an improved experience through the destination’s Mauri Mark program, a hotel assessment and accreditation program and the Mauri Way, a Kiribati National Tourism Customer Service program for all tourism service providers.

Details of Kiribati’s COVID-19 traveler requirements and protocols for the January 2022 international border reopening will be advised once it is available from government.

Kiribati at PATA Travel Mart

September 8, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in the virtual PATA Travel Mart (PTM) from 02 – 05 September 2021.

PTM is a business-to-business travel contracting and virtual networking event connecting qualified international buyers and sellers from all of Asia, the Pacific, and the rest of the world.

The event offered two full business days of one-to-one business appointments and two trade visitor days. TAK used PTM to undertake destination awareness, share Kiribati’s story through video and imagery presentations with travel trade partners from around the world.

Head of Marketing, Sarah Teetu scheduled up to 30 appointments with buyers from Asia, the Americas and Europe in the B2B sessions whist TAK Chief Executive Officer, Petero Manufolau participated as a panelist on the PTM Forum: Destination Recovery Insight from Pacific and Northeast Asia where he shared Kiribati’s Tourism Restart Program.

TAK deems its participation at PTM as a success and agrees that virtual events such as these provides the National Tourism Office with the excellent opportunity to remain connected with its valuable global travel partners as destinations prepare for a restart in international travel & tourism.

Community Product Development Consultation

September 3, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) undertook product development consultations on the islands of Makin and Butaritari in August 2021.

Led by Product & Development Officer Kiarake Karuaki, the team of 3 from TAK began with village and community consultation. These included tourism knowledge sharing and discussions on the types of tourism that could be developed using resources currently available to each community.

Understanding both the negative and positive impacts of tourism and the value of sustainable tourism development in Kiribati was also part of the consultations in these two northern Gilbert islands.

The product development consultation also included case study presentation of successful product developments projects implemented by TAK in Abemama such as the Reina Community Tourism Project.

Current accommodation providers in Makin and Butaritari were also updated on the new Mauri Mark Standards and assessment requirements which will begin in 2022.

Response from Makin and Butaritari communities was promising as communities acknowledged the initiative as a great start to understanding tourism and how they can be an active part to it. Communities also expressed appreciation that such consultations have helped them understand that tourism is more than just hotel businesses and that cultures and traditions, and that the Kiribati way of life is core to the whole tourism experience.

TAK is scheduled to undertake similar product consultations in other islands with tourism potential in Kiribati as part of its Post COVID-19 Tourism Restart Program.

TAK conducts Tourism Business Fundamentals Training

September 3, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted its first Tourism Business Fundamentals training for North and South Tarawa tourism operators on 25 & 26 August 2021 at the Utirerei Hotel in Ambo, South Tarawa.

The training is a response to the tourism business operators needs assessment survey conducted by TAK in 2020. Topics covered 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.

12 tourism operators participated in this two-days training workshop including Betio Lodge, The George, Mary’s Motel, Fema Lodge, Utirerei Hotel, Tad’s Guest House, Tabontekeeke Ecolodge, Santa Faustina, Oceanview Hotel, Tarabuka Hideaway Lodge and Nemat Resort.

The Tourism Business Fundamentals training is part of TAK’s Tourism Restart Program, in which it is preparing operators for a smart and sustainable restart to tourism once borders reopen. Similar trainings will be conducted in the other islands of the Gilbert group, Kiritimati Island and the Line Islands.

Tourism surveys in Makin and Butaritari

September 2, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS), Outer Island Perception Surveys (OIPS) and Cultural Mapping on both Makin and Butaritari Island from 12 to 30 August 2021.

A total of 8 accommodations surveyed, 3 in Makin and 5 in Butaritari.

TBIS is part of TAK yearly program to update information from accommodation providers including, number of services, facilities, contact information etc. to be updated on TAK’s information platforms.

Outer Island Perception Survey, seeks the local perceptions on Tourism and its social-cultural, environment and economic impacts to the local communities. 10% households on Makin and Butaritari island participated in this survey.

In addition, TAK also undertook cultural mapping on both islands to identify areas that are significant and can support tourism development.

Information gathered will help build a TAK stronger portfolio for our tourism operators in Kiribati and to identify key areas that TAK needs to work on as part of its Tourism Reset Program.

COVID-19 protocol Training in Abaiang

August 27, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in partnership with the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) conducted its Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal training for tourism operators in Abaiang island on Friday 20 August 2021.

The training is part of TAK’s tourism restart program and is focused on educating tourism businesses on COVID-19 travel safety protocols and assist them to comply with these protocols one Kiribati’s international borders reopen.

The one-day training was attended by representatives from Terau Beach Bungalow, Ocean Breeze Bungalow, Abaiang Island Council Guest House, and Teirio Retreat.

Funded the US Embassy’s Economic Recovery Fund, the training also included the provision of PPEs to each participating tourism operator. Similar training is also planned for Kiritimati and outer islands of the Gilbert and Line islands.

Kiribati Tourism Destination Song

August 27, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has launched the Kiribati Tourism Destination Song Competition 2021, an initiative targeted to invite local artists, musicians, and choir associations to compose an original song.

There are two song categories. One is for modern contemporary with a blend Kiribati Island beat or chant. The other one will be for a more traditional song using a serenading group or choir. The two songs must use a mix of both English and Kiribati language.

Song submissions will go through a thorough selection process by TAK and five best songs will be selected to go through the final selection by the judges. The winning composers for the two song categories will be invited to sing and showcase their winning song during the World Tourism Day on 27 September 2021.

TAK encourages submissions to highlight the unique features of Kiribati and must be 3 minutes or longer.

TAK Head of Marketing, Mrs. Sarah Reymond shares that this will be the first time for TAK to run such a destination marketing song competition and that it will be an important part to Kiribati’s tourism restart program.

All submissions are due at TAK Kiritimati or Tarawa by 20 September 2021.

Kiribati progressing with its vaccination program

August 19, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Government of Kiribati through the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS), development partners and other government agencies are working towards vaccinating its estimated 71,202 eligible citizens. These include I-Kiribati nationals aged 18 years and above.

From May 2021, the Government of Kiribati embarked on its vaccination program seeking to cover 20% of the targeted eligible population in South Tarawa and its nearby islands of North Tarawa, Maiana and Abaiang.

A total of 13,970 received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in May and have begun receiving their second doze from 04 August 2021.

Kiribati’s world-class fly-fishing destination Kiritimati (Christmas) island and Kanton, the administration centre for the Phoenix Island Protected Area (PIPA) and also one of the world’s largest marine protected area, is tentatively scheduled to begin their vaccination roll out from September 2021. This will also include Kiribati’s surfing hotspot Tabuaeran (Fanning) island and neighbouring Teraina (Washington) island.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK)welcomes the progress of the country’s vaccination program as it views the health and safety its citizens as paramount to the safe and smart restart of tourism to Kiribati.

Kiribati Tourism Industry Review Q2 2021 Report

August 16, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati has released the Kiribati Tourism Industry Review for the second quarter of 2021.

The report highlights that the domestic lockdown imposed in South Tarawa following the country’s first case of contained COVID-19 infection in May 2021 reduced domestic sea travel by 30%. On the other hand, domestic air travel increased by 53% in the first half of 2021.

Employment in the tourism industry picked up from the previous quarter growing by 2%. Room and bed numbers both increased by 6% compared to Q1 2021.

Other tourism data are also presented in the report such as tourism employment broken down by gender, most visited outer islands, and international repatriation numbers for Q2 2021.

The report was developed using data from various sources including Ministry of Health & Medical Services; Air Kiribati Limited; Marine Guard; Immigration department and the tourism operators and accommodation providers.

Click HERE to download a copy of the report.

Tourism Authority Kiribati