Tourism Authority Kiribati

Kaongora Newsletter

  • +68 751 25998
  • info@kiribatitourism.gov.ki
  • PO Box 479, Takoronga, Betio
Consumer Site
Corporate Site

Taare Rikiai

Maiana Fly-Fishing Guide Training

by

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in partnership with experienced fishing Guide Mr Ioran Kaiteie is conducting a fishing guide training on Maiana Island. The training which commenced on the 17th of August 2020 will be running for three weeks and will end on the 5th of September 2020. The first week of the training was focused on fishing guide while the remaining weeks will be spent at sea learning on hands fly fishing techniques.

Maiana is one of the Northern islands of Kiribati that has the  potential for fly fishing activity. With its’ close proximity to South Tarawa, Maiana is an excellent spot for fly-fishing. The purpose of the training is to equip the locals with knowledge and skills of the fly-fishing game.

This is the first fly-fishing guide training offered to the people of Maiana and the training also provides awareness on promoting sustainable tourism through the preservation bonefish of and understanding its value in the fly-fishing market.

This activity is supported by the 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.

Nonouti Island Capacity Building Program

by

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in collaboration with Marine Division and Red Cross carried out a Capacity Building Program on Nonouti Island. The program consisted of two parts, a Tour Guide & Boat Safety Training and Pastry & First Aid training.

The purpose of these training is to enhance the skills of the people of Nonouti on tour guiding and pastry baking and equipped with boat safety and first skills relevant to any tourism business operation.

The Boat Safety & Tour Guide training was carried out on the 6th to 13th August 2020 with 18 and 10 participants respectively.

Pastry and First Aid training were held the following week commencing on 13th and ended on the 20th of August 2020 with 16 and 32 participants respectively.

Mr. Iotebwa from Marine Division conducted Boat Safety training and Ms. Eretaake from Red Cross conducted the First Aid training. Pastry and Tour guiding were conducted by TAK officials.

TAK hopes these training will prepare Nonouti Island enable operators in Nonouti to provide a better-quality services and guest experiences.

This activity is supported by the 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.

US GRANT FOR RESET KIRIBATI

by

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) earlier this week congratulated the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) on successfully securing a grant that will help restart the Kiribati tourism industry.

Through the US. Embassy of Fiji’s Economic Recovery Project Grant, KCCI in partnership with TAK have secured a US$25,000 grant to implement the ‘Reset Kiribati’ project which will be implemented between September – November 2020.

The Reset Kiribati is a post COVID-19 economic recovery strategy that aims to prepare local accommodation, transport providers and restaurants for the ‘new traveler’.

The project will be implemented in 4 phases and these include the development of the new travel protocol, training workshops for tourism service providers, supply of Covid safety materials and the monitoring of Covid protocols. This project will cover South Tarawa, North Tarawa, Abaiang and Kiritimati.

TAK is confident that through the implementation of COVID-19 travel safety practices, tourism business operators will be able to normalize their operations once international flights resume. In the long-term, TAK agrees that this project will also help lay the foundation for a new and cleaner travel destination. TAK envisages that these ‘new travellers’ will have hygiene expectations which this project will help address.

KIRIBATI 2019 IVS REPORT RELEASED

by

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has released its 2019 International Visitor Survey (IVS) Report.

International Visitors Survey 2019 was conducted over 12 months from March 2019 – March 2020, surveying international visitors departing from Bonriki International Airport in Tarawa and Cassidy International Airport in Kiritimati (Christmas Islands).

The IVS report is an important tool to understand international traveler psychology including motivations, customer spend, satisfaction, and demographics.

This report will be used by the Government of Kiribati (GoK) as a tool to effectively develop tourism policies including the implementation of tourism investment strategies consistent with market demands.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) hopes its private sector partners will find this report valuable to understanding their customers and align their products to travellers’ requirements. Likewise, local, and international tourism stakeholders and education institutions can use this IVS report to understand the business of tourism in the Kiribati context to help determine their contribution to sustainable tourism growth.

The IVS projects was funded by the European Union – Kiribati Corporation Office and supported by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO).

TAK Hosts Miss Kiribati 2020

by

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) hosted Miss Kiribati 2020, Baniti Semilota to a Tourism Industry update and morning tea at the head office in Takoronga on Thursday 30th July 2020.

As Miss Kiribati 2020, Baniti Semilota will advocate for and be engaged in the promotion of Kiribati locally and internationally. TAK recognizes the importance of such a public figure role and has taken the opportunity during her visit to educate and update her on the status of the tourism industry in Kiribati.

In her speech to the staff of TAK, Miss Kiribati welcomed the opportunity to assist in the promotion of Tourism in Kiribati during her reign.

Miss Kiribati was accompanied by Mrs. Tiinia, Chairlady of the Miss Kiribati Pageant and Ms Runeta, representative of the pageant sponsor, Shipping Agency of Kiribati (SAOK).

TAK Welcomes new Tourism Minister

by

The new Minister of the Ministry of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development (MICTTD) Hon Tekeeua Tarati was officially welcomed by Tourism Authority of Kiribati on 27 July 2020 during his visit to their office in Takoronga.

The visit gave TAK an opportunity to brief the Honourable Minister on the current status of tourism in Kiribati, the Covid-19 impact assessment and the Authority’s plans on resetting the industry.

In his remarks, Minister Tekeeua stressed on the important need for TAK to work closely with government and the private sector to strengthen tourism in Kiribati.

TAK participates in GEF7 project funding meeting

by

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in a project funding brief on Tuesday 28 July at the Office of the President (OB) in Bairiki for the Global Environment Facility’s GEF7 set to be implemented from 2023- 2027.

The meeting was coordinated by the Environment Conservation Division (ECD) of the Ministry of Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD) and was chaired by the OB Deputy Secretary.

GEF7 calls for the formulation of proposed projects ideas that address ‘Kiribati Protected Areas for Food Security, Island Ecosystems and Biodiversity’ from Ministries and government departments that are part of the Kiribati National Experts Group (KNEG)and have an interest in these 3 thematic areas.

GEF7 recognises the potential for of ecotourism in atoll islands and TAK will use this opportunity to seek support for development in agritourism, ecotourism and cultural tourism in island communities of Kiribati.

Kiribati Celebrates 41 Years of Independence

by

Kiribati marked 41 years of independence from Great Britain on 13 July 2020.

For thousands of I-Kiribati (Gilbertese), celebrating Independence Day comes with certain ceremonies and traditions. Combined church service, cultural celebration, sports competition, family reunions and a marching parade are some of the most popular ways the Kiribati people mark the nation’s independence.

This year, cultural celebration included a competition on different Kiribati local dances, canoe, and a local wrestling. Other sports included, basketball, volleyball, and football (soccer). The Miss Kiribati Pageant is also another highlight of national day celebration.

The 2020 independence celebration concluded with an official marching parade in the Betio Sport complex by schools, private businesses, communities and the police.

The popular ANZ MIC competition and ATHKL(Vodafone) singing competition however did not take place this year due to covid-19 pandemic precautionary measures by these respective organizations

Kiritimati opens 2nd Medical Clinic

by

Kiritimati Island opened its 2nd medical clinic at Banana Village on Friday 17th 2020. This was part of the government project, built to accommodate an increase in population in Banana due to the newly relocated residents.

Banana is located 25km away (approximately 1-hour drive) from the main hospital.  with a growing population, and government sees the need to build another medical clinic to lessen the burden of having to travel long distances to receive medical attention. The clinic is also conveniently located next to Cassidy International airport and close to recreational sites (bird-watching and game fishing grounds.)

The official opening event was attended by the Honorable Minister Mikarite Temari and Mrs Faioa Temari along with the Heads of Departments of the Ministry of Lines, Phoenix Island Development.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati welcomes this new development in Kiritimati as it believes that it will contribute to making the island tourism ready once international flights resume.

Kiritimati Mini- Trade show

by

Kiritimati Mini Trade Show is a new program included in this year’s independence celebration in Kiritimati Island, organized by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Cooperation branch in Kiritimati, and supported by the Ministry of Line and Phoenix Islands Development and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati in Kiritimati.

The event was held at the Mini Stadium in Ronton on Friday 10th July 2020 with more than ten vendors participating in selling of their different carved handicrafts, necklaces and bracelets made from shells, local hats, Mauri wear clothes just to name a few. Local produce such as vegetables, plants and fruits were also sold during the trade show. The event also includes a competition of different types of local meal courses provided.

In his opening remarks, Honorable Minister Mikarite Temari relay the importance of culture and how maintaining our traditional knowledge and skills will benefit all of us, socially, culturally and economically and for the future development of tourism in Kiritimati and Kiribati nation at large. He added that the government is supporting this initiative since it is part of the government pillar in its KV20 priorities on tourism development through cultural sustainability.

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.

Useful Links

  • Contact Us
  • Show All News
  • Corporate Site
  • Consumer Site

Subscribe to Kaongora News

© 2023. TAK Newsletter. All Rights Reserved.

Developed by Moutech Services