Tourism Authority Kiribati

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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.

Kiribati Tourism Q4 2020 Tourism Review Report

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati’s (TAK) 2020 Quarter 4 Tourism Review Report is now available in the Resource Centre of TAK’s corporate website.

The report contains domestic travel data and highlights maritime and air travel numbers, quarantine and repatriation information and domestic tourism supply for Kiribati.

The report highlights a 105.7% increase in maritime travel compared to the previous quarter, with Abaiang registering as the most visited island from South Tarawa by boat.

A 58% drop in domestic air travel was recorded in this quarter compared to the previous quarter, and Tabiteuea Meang registered the highest passenger traffic of 1448 visitors, due mainly to its position as a transit hub for the Southern Gilbert Islands.

The report also includes direct employment numbers in the tourism sector in Quarter 4, 2020.

With the absence of international visitors, the only inbound traffic for the quarter came from the 254 repatriated nationals and work permit holders.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati is grateful to the following stakeholders and data providers; Air Kiribati Limited; Ministry of Health & Medical Services’ Ministry of Information, Communications, Transport & Tourism Development; and the local accommodation operators in providing the valuable data.

Click here for report. 

Kiribati wins Creative Tourism Award

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) through the Kiribati Tourism Plastic Repurposing Programme has won the Best Strategy in Creative Tourism Development category in the 2020 Creative Tourism Awards organised by the World Creative Tourism Network.

In an official letter to the Kiribati Minister for Information, Communications, Transport and Tourism Development (MICTTD), Honourable Tekeeua Tarati, the World Creative Tourism Network stated that the international jury, composed of experts in tourism, marketing and creative industries, assumed the heavy task to select the winners among a total of 184 applications, from 37 countries and highlighted the pioneering approach of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati. The main criteria were the use of creativity to design unique experiences and to create an ecosystem at a local scape.

The jury of Creative Tourism Awards highlighted the pioneering strategy designed by TAK to convert a negative externality – plastic contamination into a value chain for the whole territory in terms of inclusiveness, social cohesion, economic reactivation, heritage recovery, destination’s attractiveness, among many others. The committee also highlighted TAK’s sustainable approach in relying on circular economy, creativity, and communities’ engagement to reinvent its tourism, offering unique experiences, and especially in a pandemic context and the TAK’s excellence in betting on creativity and quality in designing experiences that enhance the cultural heritage and local identity.

Upon receiving the award, Hon. Tekeeua Tarati congratulated the Tourism Authority of Kiribati for the innovative initiative and said that “being a tiny nation on the map, this success will help promote Kiribati to the world”. He added that “the TAK led program not only addresses the challenge of solid waste management in Kiribati, but also showcases Kiribati’s creativity in the art of handicraft and jewellery making, something that appeals greatly to our visitors”.

The Director of the Creative Tourism Network®, Caroline Couret, pointed out “the added value of these awardees, in a year in which creative tourism has demonstrated how creativity and human resources are essential.” The winners will benefit from the international promotion of the Creative Tourism Network®, as well as strategic collaborations and synergies through 2021, declared “International Year of Creative Economy and Sustainable Development” by the United Nations.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati CEO, Petero Manufolau acknowledged the invaluable contribution and support of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s (PIFS) Small Island States Division and the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) to the program. TAK also acknowledges the guidance of Pacific renowned artist, Warwick Marlow.

The Kiribati Tourism Plastic Repurposing Program was launched in South Tarawa in December 2020 and TAK plans to introduce this program to other islands throughout the country.

Tourism a Priority for Kiribati

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Tourism remains a priority for the Government of Kiribati. This was revealed at the Ministry of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development (MICTTD) Ministry Strategic Plan(MSP) retreat at the Nemat Lodge in Buariki, North Tarawa on Saturday 30 January 2021.

The retreat was organized by the MICTTD Planning and Research Division and included all Heads of Departments in the ministry and CEO’s and senior managers of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) under the ministry.

In opening the retreat, Minister for MICTTD, Honourable Tekeeua Tarati acknowledged the enormous task that his ministry has in working towards fulfilling the ambitions of the Kiribati 20-Year Vision (KV20).

One key driver of the economic growth envisioned by the Government of Kiribati is tourism and this is reflected in the new Motinnano (Manifesto) which has set a range of tourism development activities that the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is required to implement.

Objectives in the new Motinnano for tourism include the development of sustainable ecotourism, focusing on niche products, the establishment of tourism zones in the Line and Gilbert Islands, development of Kanton in the Phoenix islands and selected islands in the Line and Gilbert group for high end tourism development, and the development of Tabuaeran (Fanning island) as a world class surfing destination.

TAK presented its 4-year implementation plan at the MSP meeting in Buariki and has commenced the structured roll out of its plans.

Mauri Mark Consultation

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted its first Mauri Mark industry consultation with selected tourism business operators in North Tarawa from 22 – 27 January 2021.

Mauri Mark is Kiribati’s National Tourism Standards Programme originally developed for accommodation providers only. This has since evolved to now include other tourism business operations including restaurants and bars, tourism leisure crafts, dive operators and an industry wide customer service program called the Mauri Way.

The program will be based on the compliance standards developed in partnership with Kiribati’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), Ministry of Fisheries and Marines Resources Development (MFMRD) and the Ministry of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development (MICTTD) and TAK is mandated under the Tourism Act 2018 to manage this program.

The North Tarawa consultations provided the opportunity for tourism operators in North Tarawa to understand the program and begin preparing to adopt the improved standards requirements once formalized.

TAK will continue its consultations in other parts of Kiribati in the coming months.