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Mary’s Motel Partial Renovation completed

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Mary’s Motel, the popular family-owned accommodation in the heart of Kiribati’s capital Bairiki has completed the renovation of 4 rooms in its old wing rooms and 1 standard room.

Hotel Manager Mr George Teanako says “the partial renovation is a touch to improve its looks and ambiance.” He added that ‘given that we do not have international visitors and that revenue has been low, any plans for major renovations will need to be delayed for a while longer and this is what we can do during this quiet time”.

In his brief, Teanako also noted that the Mary’s Motel’s aim is to offer the best value for money to both the international and domestic market and they will continue to focus on maintaining high standards in their services.

Mary’s Motel is a family-run operation and has been in business since 1990. What started as a 4 rooms and small restaurant establishment has now expanded to 15 units, fully operational restaurant, and meeting facilities for up to 15 people. Average reviews for Mary’s Motel on TripAdvisor rates the property at a 3.5 with location and service at 4 out of 5.

For more information, visit: www.marysmoteltarawa.com

 

Tourism celebrated at Ministry Showcase.

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The Ministry of Information Communication Transport and Tourism Development (MICTTD) hosted its 1st National Showcase with theme ‘Sustainable Connectivity Enhances Productivity and Wealth’ on Friday, 05 March 2021 at the Bairiki Square, South Tarawa.

In his opening address, the MICTTD Minister, Honourable Tekeeua Tarati said that the main purpose of the MICTTD Day is to showcase the different services provided by his ministry and associated state-owned enterprises (SOE’s). Hon Tarati added that he hoped that through the showcase, the public will understand the important roles of the ministry plays and to utilise their services accordingly.

The event was officially opened by the President of the Republic of Kiribati, HE Taneti Maamau and was attended by a delegation of government ministers, diplomatic missions, business operators and students.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) used the even to raise awareness of the work it does in training and capacity building, marketing and promotion and product development. The presence of high school students at the event also gave TAK the opportunity to speak to them on career opportunities available in tourism and tertiary courses available for tourism both locally and regionally.

Reigning Miss Kiribati and Mauri Experience brand ambassador, Miss Baniti Ekeieta Semilota was also at the event to promote special deals and packages offered by accommodation providers for the domestic market.

Other exhibitors at the event included Air Kiribati, Kiribati National Shipping Line, Vodafone, and Kiribati Land Transport Authority. End

South Tarawa Marketing Consultation

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted its first marketing consultation with South Tarawa Operators on Thursday 11 March 2021.

The consultation is part of the TAK’s Recovery Marketing Plan development program and was also an opportunity to gather updated product information and discuss issues that are important to operators during these challenging times.

Feedback received from the consultation included the positive impact the Mauri Experience campaign has had in stimulating demand in the local market. Operators acknowledged that it (campaign) continues to create awareness on their special offers and generate bookings to their properties.

Through this consultation, TAK has also identified some immediate training and marketing needs for select operators and actions are being taken to address them.

The consultations also gave TAK the opportunity to discuss the training component for the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal and its reset program. This will play an integral part in preparing the tourism industry for when the Government of Kiribati approves border reopening.

TAK will continue its marketing consultations in Kiritimati and the outer islands before developing and implementing its Recovery Marketing Plan.

TAK Staff completes JICA Marketing training

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Senior Marketing and Promotion Officer, Ms Sarah Teetu, has completed the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Tourism Promotion and Marketing online virtual training course under the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) for the JFY2020. The virtual training was held from 15 – 26 February 2021.

The course offered practical insights and effective steps that can be adopted in the Kiribati context especially on its domestic market and reset marketing strategy.

Ms Teetu stated that “the training has also assisted me in understanding practical information on proposed mitigation strategies against covid-19 crisis and recovery planning”. She added that her the training will assist her as she leads the development of TAK’s digital marketing strategy and destination marketing plan.

Participants to the course included tourism employees from the Pacific, South East Asia and Latin American.

The Tourism Promotion and Marketing course is one of the many that JICA offers Kiribati annually and TAK is indebted to them for their commitment to building tourism management capacity for TAK.

Kiribati extends border closure

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The Government of Kiribati has officially declared a further extension of its border closure in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This new extension will remain effective until the end of June 2021 when another review is expected to take place for further determination of Kiribati’s border settings.

During this extension period, special approvals can be obtained for humanitarian flights to transport essential equipment, medical supplies and for the conduct of medevac operations.

Government’s Repatriation Taskforce that oversees the repatriation of Kiribati nationals abroad will continue to plan and facilitate repatriation exercises to bring back all I-Kiribati stranded. The Taskforce is also coordinating with relevant Ministries to mobilize Kiribati students to commence their studies at tertiary level in Fiji alongside key workers and other members of the travelling public.

Standard Operational Procedures that seek to safeguard the public from the potential entry and transmission of COVID-19 will remain in force for all incoming travellers including a mandatory quarantine of 14 days at the Government-designated facility on South Tarawa. This has proven helpful to the Government’s effort to maintain Kiribati’s COVID-19 free status.

The provision of medical supplies and cargoes will also continue under the established COVID-19 safety procedures and protocols to ensure necessary support is provided to strengthen the national health system and to address people’s needs.

The Government acknowledges the dedicated service of all frontline workers and all who are involved in the success of repatriations to date and continues to appeal to the general public and Kiribati’s development partners for their continued cooperation, support and understanding to ensure the necessary arrangements are strictly followed so that risks are managed and the health safety of all is not compromised.

Seeking Tourism Opportunities for Banaba

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted an exploratory mission to the island of Banaba on 21 and 22 February 2021 to evaluate tourism opportunities for the island. The mission was conducted by CEO, Petero Manufolau and Senior Research and Statistics Officer, Nemani Tebana.

Better known as a former phosphate mining island until 1979, Banaba is Kiribati’s westernmost island with a total land area of 6.0 km2 and its highest point is also the highest point in Kiribati at 81 metres.

The mission included guided tour to Te Bangabanga, the Sacred Cave of Banaba, and visits to other historical sites on the island including the Sir Albert. F. Ellis monument, WWll Japanese slaughtering area, old hospital, islands football and cricket field and the remains of colonial homes that once dominated the islands real estate.

The site visits was followed by meeting with Banaba MP Tibanga Taratai and the Rabi Council of Leaders (RCL) Island Manager Malosi Kapati to discuss opportunities for tourism development on the island. It was agreed that TAK will work with the Island Council and the RCL to develop a working group that will seek our opportunities for tourism to Banaba.

TAK will develop the Terms of Reference for the working group and will be open to contributions from stakeholders on how tourism can help create economic opportunities for the island.

TAK undertakes Survey on Banaba

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The Research & Statistics Division of TAK recently visited the raised island of Banaba to update the tourist map of the island and roll out the new Kiribati Outer Islands Perceptions Survey which was piloted on North Tarawa in January. Banaba is the second island on which the survey has been conducted.

A total of 18 responses were gathered from ages ranging from 22 – 65 years.

The survey results examine how the locals feel about tourism and whether or not they see any benefit from the industry.

Banaba is very unique in that it is the only raised island in Kiribati and was once famous for its phosphate deposits. The rich history is still evident today with the old colonial-style homes, playgrounds, pavements, roads and mining equipment which makes Banaba island stand out from the rest of Kiribati.

The survey results will assist TAK gauge the locals’ readiness to embrace sustainable tourism development.

Tourism Package Development Consultation 

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted tourism package development consultations with South Tarawa and Abatao accommodation providers on 17 & 18 February 2020.

Through its Mauri Experience promotion campaign, TAK learnt that while most South Tarawa properties offer attractive room only rates, not much is available through package and value-added offerings.

The main purpose of the consultation therefore was to discuss how TAK can assist in the development and promotion of packages that includes food & beverage and activity components. The consultations opened an opportunity for discussions on how properties can capitalise on events such as Valentine’s Day, Easter, and National Day celebrations to offer packages that included more than just a room rate.

TAK believes that inclusive packages will offer accommodation providers secured food and beverage and activities revenue and will also make their offers more appealing to its customers.

6 accommodation providers on South Tarawa were consulted including the George Hotel, Dreamers, Utirerei Motel, Eniita Lodge, Tads Guesthouse and Tabontekeeke in Abatao, North Tarawa.

Tourism Business Inventory Survey

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted Tourism Business Inventory Surveys in Kiritimati and South Tarawa in February.

This is part of TAK’s yearly program to update information from accommodation providers including number of beds available, staff training needs, accommodation services, facilities and contact information to be updated on TAK’s information platforms.

New information gathered will help build a stronger destination portfolio of updated information for tourism operators in Kiribati, particularly now as TAK works towards safely restarting international tourism once borders reopen.

Tourism Business Inventory Surveys will be continuing in Abemama and the rest of the Gilbert group in March and April 2021.

South Tarawa Mauri Mark Consultations

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) visited all accommodation operators on South Tarawa on 17 and 18 February 2021 and conducted one to one consultation on the revised Kiribati National Tourism Mauri Mark Standards Program.

This Mauri Mark program was initially introduced in 2008 for accommodation standard rating, has now been extended to include other tourism services such as Restaurant and Bars, Tourism Leisure Boats, Dive Operations, and an Industry wide customer service program known to be called Te Mauri Way.

Once consultations are complete, TAK will work with the relevant stakeholders to finalize the revised Mauri Mark standards guidelines and begin the compliance training for all tourism business operators.

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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