Tourism Authority Kiribati

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Nemat Resort Barter Program

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North Tarawa’s newest tourism destination, Nemat Resort located along one of the most captivating stretches of brilliant white sandy beach on Buariki offers a unique barter program that promotes community engagement in tourism.

Since opening in December 2020, Nemat Resort has become very popular among locals and the South Tarawa expatriate community.

To encourage local community involvement, Nemat Resort developed a barter program where they offer quality imported second-hand clothes in exchange for local materials that they use to beautify the resort.  The children of Buariki community have been the most enthusiastic in this program, exchanging 5 coral flat stones for a shirt or a pair of pants depending on their preference.

The resort resourcefully uses these coral flat stones to create cobblestone-like paths and walkways throughout the premises which give Nemat Resort a tropical elegant feel.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) agrees that this is an excellent example of how businesses can assist communities during these extraordinary times.

Nemat Resort features a selection of traditional buia and hotel room accommodation with 24 hours restaurant and bar services, conference space, and a range of non-motorized water activities. 

Community tourism consultation

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The tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a one-week tourism awareness and community consultation as part of its product development and enhancement program in North Tarawa from 21 – 28 January 2021.

The purpose of the consultation was to assist the villages better understand tourism, its economic potential,, and how they can engage in the industry through creative business alternatives that will support their livelihood.

The team visited 11 villages of Buariki, Tearinibai, Nuatabu, Taratai, Nooto, Abaokoro, Marenanuka, Tabonibara, Kainaba, Nabeina and Tabiteuea.

During the consultation, the villages were provided with information on how small-scale eco-tourism businesses work, their economic and socio-cultural benefits, and its contribution to environmental conservation. The villages were also encouraged to be part of the important local tourism supply chain network.

The consultations included a video presentation of the pilot Reina community based cultural tour project to help the villages better grasp the idea of sustainable community-based tourism and how they can apply that in their local setting.

Feedback from the consultations was positive and TAK will return to North Tarawa to work with interested villages and assist them in developing their own unique eco-tourism programs.

 

Resorts receive pastry & bakery training

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a one-week pastry and bakery training for resorts in Buariki, North Tarawa from 22 – 27 January 2021.

The training was part of TAK’s capacity building initiative through its Reset Kiribati program to help tourism service providers upskill their employees during the current border closure.

Participants to this training were from the Nemat Resort, Eutan Buariki Guesthouse, and Tarabuka Hideaway Lodge.

With the current high demand in domestic travel to North Tarawa, TAK hopes that the training will help these resorts offer their guests more variety. These include freshly baked croissants, mini milo ball, chocolate cake, stripped coconut bread, cinnamon rolls, bun with filling, donut cream, chocolate bread, coconut tart, and coconut cake.

TAK had provided similar training to other properties in South Tarawa, Maiana, Nonouti, and Abemama and plans to hold similar trainings in other islands the Gilbert group.

North Tarawa Surveys

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted the Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) and the first-ever Kiribati Tourism Outer Islands Perceptions Survey in North Tarawa from 21 – 28 January 2021.

Managed by the Research & Statistics Division, the TBIS is used by TAK to collect data and relevant operations information on waste and energy management systems, climate change impact issues on their operations, and general services provided by lodges and resorts. A total of 7 accommodations providers were surveyed at the new NEMAT Resort.

Tourism Kiribati Outer Islands Perceptions Survey seek local’s perceptions on tourism including socio-economic and environmental impacts on their communities. Surveys were conducted in Buariki, Tearinibai, Nuatabu, Taratai, Nooto, Abaokoro, Kainaba, Nabeina, and Tabiteuea.

The outcome of the survey will be used by TAK to assist in planning activities and programs for each respective island and will also be shared with relevant stakeholders. A full report will be available in the Resource Centre on the TAK corporate website.

TAK will undertake the same surveys in other islands throughout 2021.

Kiribati Sport Fishing Club December Competition  

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The Kiribati Sport Fishing Club (KSFC) hosted its final fishing competition on 28 December 2020 with the weigh in at Freddy’s Bar in Takoronga.

A total of 7 teams registered including Christine, Takgee, Black Pearl, Beauty Shark, Lady Mary, Nei Buroburo and Black Belt. Each team consisted of 3 to 7 anglers.

The competition was open to both women and men, with the aim of encouraging fishing enthusiasts to continue and maintain their skill and knowledge of fishing as a job or hobby.

The teams were judged on the weight and quantity of their catch which included Yellowfin tuna, Tuna, Barracuda, Wahoo, Marlin, and Dog Tooth.

Black Pearl took out the prize for highest number of tuna species caught and the best female angler prize was awarded to Ms. Taara Tokamaen Maiu from team Christine. A special award was also presented to the Lady Mary team for reeling in a 149lbs blue marlin. Lady Mary also too out the overall winner’s prize.

Chairman of the KSFC Mr. Ritiati Ariera closed the event by thanking all the sponsors for their generous support and participants for their continuous interest in fishing. The KSFC has more exciting competitions planned for 2021.

Boat Safety and First Aid Training in Abemama

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in partnership with Marine Division and the Kiribati Red Cross Society conducted Boat Safety and First Aid Training in Abemama from 02nd – 23rd November 2020.

The training was part of TAK capacity building development program funded by the LDCF-1 project to support the game fishing, established as an ecotourism venture on the island.

Abemama is one of the pilot islands, under the LDCF-1 project that has the potential for game fishing market. The training on boat safety and first aid offered, were to equip the people of Abemama with right skills and knowledge required for the safety and wellbeing of an anglers or anyone should they encounter any problem at sea or at their hotels and to prepare them when the island is opened up to international markets for fly-fishing games or for any tourist visiting Abemama island.

Participants who attended boat safety training were boat owners while first aid training was attended by tour guides and accommodation providers.

Another key component of the project is to help generate income from the coastal zone resources sustainably and to motivate the locals to practice coastal fisheries conservation.

The training was also an opportunity to encourage Abemama communities to value their marine environments as means to build resilience against climate change condition and improve visitor experiences.

The mission was funded by the Food Security project which is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) -Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) through the United Nations Development Programme, and executed by the Environment and Conservation Division under the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development.     

Abaiang Tourism Business Inventory Survey

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a Tourism Business Inventory Survey from 10th – 13th December 2020 in Abaiang.

The main purpose of the survey was to collect and update TAK’s database on accommodations available, number of beds, staff training needs, along with the accommodation services, facilities, and contact information for all Abaiang tourism service providers.

The mission also included the cultural site mapping, plotting of historical sites and other sites and locations with the potential to attract visitors. Whilst in Abaiang, the TAK staffs also updated the organisation’s image library with photos of new developments and activities on the island.

New information gathered will help TAK build a stronger destination portfolio for Abaiang for the domestic market and international visitors once travel resumes.

First Grant to Kiritimati Island Outfitters

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Fly Water Travel through Ambleve Bedrock Foundation had allocated first grant of $20,000 for Christmas Island Outfitters in Kiritimati Island. Ambleve Bedrock Foundation, Fly Water Travel had raised more than $15,000 as a relief fund to Christmas Island Outfitters fishing guides affected from COVID 19 travel bans.

Kiritimati Island Head Guide and owner of the Christmas Island Outfitters Mr. Bita Kairaoi confirmed the grant provides for a $200 monthly payment to each recipient. The first payment was made back in April 2020 and to date, more than AUD$10,000 has been paid out to Mr. Kairaoi and his six fishing guides.

Mr Kairaoi said, “we are grateful to the grant which has greatly helped sustain our income during this COVID 19 travel lockdown and we thank Fly Water Travel and Ambleve Bedrock Foundation for this generous and kindhearted support in providing this grant.”

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) on Christmas Island has witnessed the adverse impact the COVID 19 travel ban is having on tourism businesses and employees including fishing guides. It joins Christmas Island Outfitters in extending its sincere gratitude to Fly Water Travel and the Ambleve Bedrock Foundation for this valuable initiative.

Kiritimati Celebrates World Food Day

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati TAK) in Kiritimati Island participated in World Food Day celebration from 30th November to 04th December 2020. This program was organized by the Agriculture Division of the Ministry of Environment, Land and Agricultural Development (MELAD).

This year’s World Food Day was commemorated through a roadshow awareness program to London, Tabakea and Banana, a cleanathon, and household cleaning and gardening competition. Activities were drawn from World Food Day theme of “Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together, Our Actions are our Future”.

The World Food Day celebrations concluded on 04th December with a fruits and vegetable farming competitions between communities and farmers. Participants were judged on the size and weight of their produce. There was also a gardening competition which was judged based on the beauty, diversity and range, health, planning and designed, and creativity.

The celebration was attended by OIC for MLPID, Lordship Mayor from the Kiritimati Urban Council and his team, Government Head of Divisions, Communities, farmers and staff of the Ministry of Environment, Lands & Agricultural Development.

Kiribati will be First to Welcome the New Year

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Kiribati is preparing to be the first country in the world to welcome the new year.

Situated in the central Pacific, Kiribati is made of 33 Islands grouped into 3 island archipelagos: The Gilbert Islands in the West; the Phoenix Islands Protected Area in the center; and the Line Islands in the East.

The islands straddle along and across the equator at the true heart of the Pacific; where the equator meets the International Date Line. It is the only country in the world situated on all four hemispheres of the globe – northern, southern, eastern, and western.

The Line group in the Eastern part of the country will be the first in the world to welcome the year. It is currently 1 hour ahead of Fiji and New Zealand, 3 hours ahead of the East Coast of Australia and 22 hours ahead of the West Coast of the USA.

To celebrate this, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) will host a live feed via its official Facebook page Visit Kiribati from Kiritimati (Christmas) island on the 1st of January to capture the world’s first sunrise in 2021. The live feed will be active from 6.30am (Kiritimati time).

Kiritimati island is a world class saltwater flats fly fishing destination offering bonefish, triggerfish, giant trevally, and numerous other species.