Taare Rikiai – Page 3 – Kaongora Newsletter

Quarter 2 2024 Tourism Review in Kiribati

November 5, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati has released its Quarter 2 Tourism Industry Review for 2024, showcasing significant growth. The report highlights a 12% increase in international visitors compared to the same period in 2023, totalling 2,287 visitors. However, this marks a 6% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2024. Visitors from the Pacific Islands led with 28%, followed by Australia at 21% and the USA at 19%. Corporate travel was the primary reason for international arrivals, accounting for 41% of the total, while leisure travel made up 28%.

Domestic air travel within Kiribati showed a strong upward trend, with Abemama, Marakei, and Abaiang being the top most visited islands. Despite no yacht arrivals in June, the quarter recorded five yachts, indicating sustained international interest.

Marine passenger travel saw a slight decrease, with 9,663 passengers recorded, down by 3% from the previous quarter. Abaiang Island had the highest number of marine passengers, followed by North Tarawa and Maiana. Museum visits surged dramatically, with 629 visitors representing a 71% increase compared to the previous quarter (quarter 1 2024).

Accommodation facilities remained stable, with 73 hotels operating across the islands. North Tarawa had the highest number of accommodations, followed by South Tarawa and Kiritimati Island. A total of 721 rooms and 1,384 beds were available, with a significant share in the Gilberts Group.

TAK extends its appreciation to Air Kiribati Ltd, the Marine Guard Division, the Immigration Department, Te Umwanibong Cultural Museum, the Kiribati Customs Administration and Enforcement, and local tourism operators for their invaluable contributions to this comprehensive assessment of Kiribati’s tourism sector.

You may find the reports here.

TAK engages Junior Secondary Schools on South Tarawa and Betio with their Tourism Awareness Program

November 5, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

Officers from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a tourism awareness program with junior secondary students (year 9) from government and faith-based schools in South Tarawa and Betio from October 8th to 21st, 2024.

This annual awareness program was conducted by the Training and Development Unit with the aim of educating students about the tourism industry in Kiribati and how tourism development contributes to the nation’s economy, environment, and social-cultural aspects.

Undertaking this program with year 9 students allows TAK to consistently create effective interactions between students and TAK officers about tourism as a topic of discussion and promote engaging interactions between TAK and the local students during the sessions. One of the St. Louis High School teachers added that this program was vital to all form 3 students since Tourism is part of their Kiribati Community Studies (KCS) and Social Science syllabus, which can help them further build their understanding of tourism and its potential. She also mentioned that since Kiribati Certify of Basic Education exams or KCBE (national exam) is approaching, it was a good opportunity for them to participate in this program, as it will allow the students to revise what their teachers had already taught them.

Seven out of eight JSS schools were visited, including Santa Maria, Ngaon Te Rabakau, JSS TUC 1, William Goward Memorial College, Animwarao JSS, St Louis High School, and BTC JSS.

TAK is grateful to the Ministry of Education (MOE) through the SIU (School Improvement Unit) and the principals of church schools for their unwavering support and continued collaboration in allowing this program to be conducted in their respective schools.

Kiribati International Visitor Survey Unveils Insights: Culture, Friendliness, and Unique Experiences Draw Tourists

October 3, 2024October 1, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) has released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey (IVS) for the period January to June 2024. The survey offers valuable insights into the profiles, preferences, and satisfaction levels of international visitors, contributing to a better understanding of the Kiribati tourism industry.

Key highlights from the report reveal that most visitors to Kiribati came from Australia (36%), Fiji (17%), and New Zealand (13%). The average visitor was aged between 45 and 54 years, with household incomes ranging from USD65,000 to USD115,000. Business travel was the main purpose for visiting Kiribati, accounting for 40% of the total, while 18% visited for holidays and 11% to see friends or relatives.

Visitors spent an average of 7 nights in Kiribati, with South Tarawa (63%) and North Tarawa (31%) being the most popular destinations. Pre-paid spending by visitors averaged between USD1,000 and USD1,499 per trip, with 41% of this allocated to international flights. On-island spending was largely directed toward accommodation, food and beverage, and domestic travel.

Visitor satisfaction was high, with the friendliness of the I-Kiribati people, airport services, and overall service quality receiving the best ratings. However, the survey also highlighted areas needing improvement, including accommodations, infrastructure, and the cleanliness of the environment. Despite these challenges, a majority of visitors expressed their willingness to return and recommend Kiribati as a travel destination.

The IVS was made possible through the support of the Pacific Tourism Development Initiative (PTDI), led by the SPTO Research Team, with generous funding from the New Zealand Government.

TAK also acknowledges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), particularly its Immigration Division, for their assistance in providing the visitor email database, enabling the IVS to be distributed through email invitations.

The Kiribati IVS is an ongoing survey, and the next report will be the Kiribati IVS 2024 Report which will cover the months of January – December 2024.

A special thanks to all the visitors who have shared their valuable insights, which have significantly enriched this report.

You may access the report here.

Kiribati Celebrates World Tourism Day 2024 to Promote Tourism & Peace in the World

October 1, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

Celebrated annually on September 27, Kiribati had the pleasure to celebrate the World Tourism Day as an important moment to reflect on the impacts of tourism in Kiribati – creating jobs, contributing to economic growth, connecting communities, and reducing poverty. Additionally, tourism encourages cultural exchange, cultural understanding, and social and environmental sustainability, which can help create a more harmonious society in Kiribati and for travel destinations around the world.

This year’s World Tourism Day 2024 theme by UN Tourism is “Tourism and Peace,” highlighting the potential of tourism as a mechanism for positive impacts on global peace. Sustainable tourism practices foster the inclusion of local communities and economies in the tourism sector while preserving natural and cultural resources. This theme resonates deeply with the core values of the Kiribati society, which promotes our friendly & peaceful Kiribati culture and advocates for sustainable tourism practices that protect our natural environment while enriching communities.

The World Tourism Day 2024 event in Kiribati was hosted by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) with the celebration held on Betio in the capital South Tarawa (Gilbert Islands group) and by TAK staff on Kiritimati Island in the Line Islands. TAK also invited representatives from the tourism private sector, NGOs, and the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industries & Cooperatives (MTCIC).

The event was officially opened by the Secretary of MTCIC and the Acting CEO of TAK. The event also included the launching of the Climate Friendly Travel program to support sustainable tourism in Kiribati; a presentation of the TAK’s new Licensing Role for 2025; a Presentation on the International Visitors Survey or IVS (Jan -Jun Report 2024) & the Community Attitude Survey (CAS) Report; and a presentation on the new Kiribati tourism customer service program ‘Mauri Way.’ A short video teaser of a new Kiribati destination brand which is yet to be launched this year was also presented during the event. The day’s event was also entertained with traditional dancing and a feast to celebrate World Tourism Day 2024.

SPTO Releases Findings of the Kiribati Community Attitude Survey 2024

October 3, 2024October 1, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) has officially released the results of the Kiribati Community Attitudes Survey (CAS) 2024, a comprehensive study designed to capture the perceptions of residents on tourism’s impacts. The annual survey, conducted from July to August 2024, aimed to understand how communities in Kiribati experience tourism and their views on better preparing for its future impacts.

Responses were gathered via both paper-based and online survey links across South Tarawa, Kiritimati, and Nonouti Island, yielding 271 valid responses from the 293 received. 98% of participants were I-Kiribati, with 67% having never lived overseas, reflecting a strong local perspective. The majority of responses (92%) came from the Gilbert Islands group, primarily from South Tarawa, while Kiritimati recorded the most responses in the Line group with 8%.

The findings highlighted strong support for tourism, with 100% of respondents from five islands with the most responses, excluding South Tarawa (92%), agreeing that tourism benefits Kiribati. However, concerns were raised about island cleanliness and limited accommodation availability, particularly from those who believed fewer tourists would be more manageable. There were also significantly different opinions between the genders, with more men (90%) than women (78%) supporting an increase in tourist numbers.

TAK would like to acknowledge the support from SPTO for analyzing the report, and the assistance from the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs (MCIA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives (MTCIC). Special thanks are also given to the New Zealand Government for its ongoing support of tourism development efforts in the region.

The survey culminated in a prize draw held during World Tourism Day on 27 September 2024, offering participants a chance to win a prize as part of the event’s celebration.

TAK would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the residents who participated in the survey. Your valuable input has played a crucial role in shaping the future of tourism in Kiribati.

You may access the report here.

TAK Officer Participates in Tourism Resources & Utilization Training Workshop in Hainan, China

October 2, 2024October 1, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

Ms Monika Rikita of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati participated in a thirteen-day training focused on Tourism Resources and Utilization for Pacific Island Countries, which was hosted by the International Cooperation and Exchange Center of the Department of Commerce, Hainan Province, China, from the 27th of August to the 9th of September 2024.

The overall aim of the program is to nurture competitive tourism professionals for the South Pacific region, supporting the sustainable prosperity of its tourism industry and elevating it as an international tourism destination. This training program is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to global challenges, ensuring that the tourism sector in the South Pacific remains competitive.

It is an opportunity for China’s tourism industry and tertiary institutions to present and showcase their professional courses to participants, which overall focuses on the theme, ‘Tourism Resources Development and Utilization.’ In this course, the highlighted topics covered are:

-Planning and Management of Tourism Resources in China
-Public Tourism Policies in China
-Impact of Tourism Industry: Theory and Practice
-Sustainable Development of Tourism Industry
-Tourism Destination Services and Marketing
-Planning, Design, Operation, and Management of Tourist Attractions
-Marketing and Brand Building
-Concepts and Classic Case Analysis of Cultural and Tourism Integration – Application of Digital Tourism Technology
-Hotel Management: Intelligent Hotel Development

Apart from the theory-based sessions, participants had a chance to tour Hainan Province and visit the most famous tourist attractions, such as Qinghai City, Sanya City, and Wanning City. Participants also spent three days touring Shanghai Municipality and Suzhou City in Jiangsu Province. This activity brought participants together for an interactive exercise, allowing them to reflect on and share what they had observed and learned during the training program. It encouraged them to apply these insights in the areas most relevant to their respective islands.

A big ‘Thank You’ to the People’s Republic of China through the International Cooperation and Exchange Center of the Department of Commerce, Hainan Province, for funding support and the organization of this wonderful and rewarding training program.

The Climate Friendly Travel Programme to Support Sustainable Tourism in Kiribati

October 2, 2024October 1, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) launched the Climate Friendly Travel program on September 27, 2024, which aligns perfectly with the World Tourism Day theme of “Tourism and Peace.” This initiative is a significant step towards promoting sustainable and responsible tourism in Kiribati.

The Climate Friendly Travel program by SUNx Malta focuses on promoting sustainable tourism practices. By partnering with the Ministry of Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority, they aim to make tourism low-carbon, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and nature-friendly. Their initiatives include educational programs like Diplomas, Registries, Chapters, Travel Clubs, and various services to encourage behavioural change toward more sustainable travel.

TAK’s officer Ms. Kiarake Karuaki completed the Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) Diploma program on the same day as the launch is a great example of commitment to sustainable tourism. Her expertise will surely contribute to the success of the Climate Friendly Travel initiative in Kiribati.

TAK will be rolling out the Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) program in Kiribati and developing a CFT Action Plan which will be a crucial step in promoting sustainable tourism practices within Kiribati. TAK will also be recruiting members (tourism operators, NGOs, and Government ministries), who be vital in making the Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) program a success in Kiribati. Their participation will help ensure that the initiative is comprehensive and impactful, addressing various aspects of sustainable tourism that contribute to peace in Kiribati.

TAK attends the Tropical Coastal Tourism Event in Sanya, China

October 1, 2024October 1, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Acting CEO, of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati attended the Tropical Coastal Tourism Event in Sanya, China on 4-6th September 2024 as a guest speaker to the panel discussions on Indigenous Tourism panel discussions.

The event was organized by the Sanya Tourism Board and supported by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). The event’s theme “The Next Wave: Shaping the Future of Tourism Marketing in Tropical Coastal Cities,” brought together representatives from international tourism organizations, delegates from foreign city administrations alongside domestic governmental sectors and travel companies.

The Acting CEO, TAK had the opportunity to be featured in the additional panel discussions focusing on Indigenous Tourism: Enriching Journeys and Supporting Local Communities. The panelists consisting of WAITOC Australia, Tourism Solomon and Tourism Selangor of Indonesia, and Tourism Authority of Kiribati highlighted the importance of respecting and preserving indigenous cultures whilst promoting economic development through tourism.

For Kiribati as being the least developed tourism destination in the event, Ms. Onorio of TAK took the opportunity to highlight the importance of cultural tourism reflected in the newly launched Community Based Tourism initiatives in the Kiribati outer islands.
This was the first PATA event that TAK attended being a newly registered member since 2022.

TAK welcomes Miss Kiribati 2024 as a new ambassador for promoting Kiribati tourism

September 5, 2024September 4, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati proudly welcomed Miss Kiribati 2024, Ms. Kimberly Tokanang Aromata as the new ambassador for tourism in Kiribati. In her new role, Miss Kiribati will promote the unique beauty and cultural heritage of the islands, helping to raise Kiribati’s profile as a must-visit destination.

To kick off her ambassadorship, Miss Kiribati was given the opportunity to travel to North Tarawa with TAK for a special photo and video session. This initiative is part of a broader effort to capture and showcase the natural wonders and cultural richness of Kiribati, with Miss Kiribati serving as the face of upcoming promotional campaigns.

Her involvement as an ambassador highlights the important role of young leaders in supporting and promoting the growth of tourism in Kiribati, contributing to the nation’s economic and cultural development.

Kiribati participated in the Te Ūnga Mai Professional Development Training in Rotorua New Zealand

September 5, 2024September 4, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

Among the tourism professionals from the Pacific islands who participated at the Te Ūnga Mai Professional Development Training, Kiribati was represented by Ms Kiarake Karuaki – the Product Development and Investment Promotions officer from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati.

The four-day training held in Rotorua from 30 July to 2 August 2024 is designed to enhance the skills and capabilities of tourism professionals where the Pacific leaders come together and share their destination management journey including successes and challenges. It was an opportunity for networking and gathering practical knowledge, insights, and best practices where Pacific leaders further broaden their perspective allowing for a global exchange of ideas and strategies. Overall, such a program is instrumental in shaping future-ready tourism leaders who can navigate and manage destinations with foresight and responsibility.

Throughout the program, the Pacific Delegates also had the opportunity to join the New Zealand cohort of the Climate Champions Training facilitated by the Travel Foundation in partnership with Expedia Group. It brought together an interactive learning exchange that further discussed the urge for sustainable tourism development against the impact of global climate change for a resilient tourism industry in the Pacific.

TAK acknowledges the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the funding support, Regional Tourism New Zealand, Rotorua Regional Tourism Organisation and the RTOs, private sector, and government agencies at Te Unga Mai for the privilege to learn from their successes and the challenges they faced.

Tourism Authority Kiribati