Tourism Authority Kiribati

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Tourism Surveys on Abemama

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted its Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS), Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) and an update of the tourism map for the island of Abemama earlier in March 2021.

TAK conducted the TBIS to update the accommodations and tourism operators’ database.  Data collected included operators’ services and facilities, location, contact details, climate change impact on their operations and waste management challenges.

The OIPS on the other hand was a means for the TAK to determine locals’ perceptions on tourism, in particular its environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts.

The OIPS was conducted in the villages of Kabangaki, Tebwanga, Bangotan te Kabwaia, Kariatebike, Tabontebike, Reina, Baretoa, Tekatirirake, Tanimainiku and Tabiang.

The tourism map of Abemama was updated using GPS to plot locations of new or previously unmapped tourism sites. Among the new sites were historical sites and idols in Kenna, part of Kabangaki village at the southern end of the island and on Biike islet. The updated map will allow visitors to locate accommodations and tourism sites on the island.

The outcomes of the surveys and mapping on Abemama will be used by TAK to assist in planning activities and programs for the development of Tourism on the island and will be shared with relevant stakeholders. Once finalised, a full report will be available in the Resource Centre on the TAK corporate website.

The surveys will also be carried out in other islands throughout 2021.

This trip was supported by LDCF-1 project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented under the Environment and Conservation division with the support of the United Nations Development Programme.

 

New Bungalows in Abemama

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New Bungalows in Abemama

Abemama Island’s position as an ideal tourism destination has been boosted with opening of new island bungalows at Binoinano village in Tabontebike.  Run by the Santo Antonio Catholic Parish, this new establishment features 6 overwater bungalows (buia), a communal kitchen, traditional resting area, and a convenience store.

The bungalows have been beautifully designed and built using local materials contributed by church groups (makoro) from each village. Construction took up to 3 months and the bungalows can accommodate up to 20 guests.

Head Catechist of Santo Antonio Parish shared that the official opening celebration of the bungalows was low key as the church is currently observing the season of lent.

Head Catechist added that “this opening marks the first part of the project.  There are plans to extend further out onto the lagoon to build more bungalows this year and accommodate more visitors.

The Parish is keen to work with the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) to develop accommodation packages, build capacity for its employees and market and promote the destination.  TAK congratulates the Santo Antonio Catholic Parish on their community tourism initiative and looks forward to working with them to grow tourism to Abemama.

 

Kiritimati Celebrates Quantum Leap Day 2021  

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The Kiritimati (Christmas) Island Quantum Leap celebration organized by the Ministry of Line & Phoenix Islands Development (MLPID) and extension ministries and companies on the island was held on Thursday 11 March 2021 with the theme “Our collective future is our shares responsibilities”.

The event was officially opened by Minister for MLPID, Honourable Mikarite Temari on behalf of His Excellency Te Beretitenti Taneti Maamau and the Kiribati Government.

In his address, Hon Temari stressed the importance of improving customer services to the public and that Government cannot achieve its development vision if employees are not doing their work well for the future development of the nation.

The Honourable Minister added that all employees are very important to the government, where no one is left behind and that they are all important for the development of Kiribati. To emphasize his message on the need to persevere and work diligently, Hon. Temari drew comparison from the story in the Holy Bible of the Israelite’s struggle in the dessert before they reached Canaan the promised land. He stressed that employees should be sincere in their work to help accelerate developments and improvements so that Kiribati achieves its development vision as intended in the KV20.

The official opening was attended by His lordship Mayor for Kiritimati Urban Council Natua Teiti, Head of Divisions, Government employees and students.

The event also included an expo where government ministries and private organisations had the opportunity to promote their services and sell their products to the general public.

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.