Tourism Authority Kiribati

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Kiritimati plans for Open Integrated Market (OIM)  

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The establishment of the OIM for local producers on Kiritimati Island is one of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives (MCIC) project in the 2020 – 2023 Strategic Plan recommended through the Trade Policy Framework (TPF) to enhance and promote domestic trade on the island.

The first preparatory meeting was held at the Ministry of Line & Phoenix Islands Development (MLPID) boardroom on Thursday, 21 May 2020 and was attended by 10 representatives from different government offices on the island including the Tourism Authority of Kiribati.

It was agreed at this first meeting that a survey was to be conducted to random household on Kiritimati and as well as village to gauge an understanding on whether or not the establishment of the OIM on Kiritimati is necessary.

The result of the survey was tabled in a special meeting on Thursday 27 August 2020, and indicated that the establishment of the OIM on the island is supported by many, hence the committee will be continue working on the next preparation phase of the project.

Once completed, the project will support local producers and TAK sees the OIM as a great opportunity for widen traveler experiences and increase visitor spending opportunities on the island.

 

 

 

 

Kiritimati World Food Day

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati Kiritimati team attended a World Food Day preparatory meeting conducted by the Agriculture & Livestock Division at the Wildlife office on the 22 September 2020.

The world food day is an annual event that is celebrated on the 16th of October every year and this year theme is based on: “Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together, Our Actions Are Our Future”.

Competition on home gardening and cleaning competition for all interested households will be part of the World Food Day Celebration as proposed by Mrs. Susana Ratu. World Food Coordinator.

Mrs. Ratu added, that a two days roadshow awareness program should also be carried out and led by the Land and Management division to help bring awareness on World Food Day. Other stakeholders are also invited to prepare a short awareness campaign during the two days.

TAK office supports the events as it is also support sustainable tourism on the island and the office look forward to participate especially in clean-up and roadshow program.

Handicraft training important for tourism

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47 women representing 12 women’s organisations affiliated with Aia Mwaea Ainen Kiribati (AMAK) in Tarawa received traditional Kiribati handicraft training as part of TAK’s 2020 World Tourism Day celebration on Thursday 24 September at the Tenimanraoi Maneaba in Betio.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati recognizes that the unique I-Kiribati culture, heritage, and identity is upheld through traditional and authentic handicraft knowledge which have been passed down over many generations. Culture plays an important role in the Kiribati visitor experience and arts such as handicraft offer travellers an insight into life in Kiribati.

The one-day training workshop introduced the participants to the art of producing traditional shell necklace, shell turtle ornaments, shell jewellery, pandanus necktie and finely crafted shell fruit bowls.

To encourage the continuity and sustainability of their newly acquired skills, TAK will work with these women to supply traditional handicraft at the Bonriki International Airport Handicraft and Visitor Information center.

The training also included presentations from the Head of Biosecurity from the Agriculture and Livestock Division, MELAD and the Director of Trade, MCIC. Their presentations were based on biosecurity criteria as well as the importance of quality and pricing of handicrafts for tourism purposes.

 

First Fishing Guide Training in Maiana

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) facilitated the first ever fishing guide training on Maiana Island from 17 August to 05 September 2020.

Conducted by experienced Kiritimati fishing guide, Mr. Ioran Kaiteie, the training focused on the role of a fishing guides and materials needed to carry out the role. These included techniques at a fishing flat, how to set up fishing gears, how to communicate with anglers, and how to spot bonefish. The program also included  marine resource conservation through a non-consumptive approach to reduce the vulnerability of their marine ecosystem

This training was a preparatory assistance for Maiana’s international fly-fishing market.

 

Maiana Mayor, Mrs Rebite Taakeimoa expressed her gratitude for the training and trusts that the new acquired knowledge and skills will be useful to the island in the future.

The 25 training participants also believe that their training will have economic benefits for their families and communities once international travel resumes.  They are also confident that the activity would support enhancing the resilience and livelihood of communities to lessen overharvesting of bonefish and other game fishing species against the unpredictable effects of climate change.

The program was funded by the ‘LDCF’ project which is supported by the Global Environment Facility-Least Developed Countries Fund and the United Nations Development Programme, and executed through the Environment and Conservation Division under the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development.

 

Cultural Rehabilitation in Nonouti

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati teamed up with the Culture Museum Division (CMD) to conduct a cultural rehabilitation program on Nonouti Island from the 25 August to 02 September 2020.

The program included the filming of traditional skills specifically on the preservation of culinary techniques along with traditional fishing skills, the monitoring farming practices of local produce such as breadfruits, pandanus, coconuts to name a few together with monitoring the progress of resilient crop varieties planted during previous visits and consulting the local communities on the beautification and historical cultural sites that could serve as potential tourist attractions.

Additionally, TAK also had the opportunity to raise awareness on the economic, social, and cultural importance of developing a cultural tour package for Nonouti.

The integration of local knowledge and skills with hybrid resilient crop varieties ensure food security by mitigating the impacts of climate change. These practices will also become a tourist attraction to be demonstrated during community tour packages.

Through program, selected communities have expressed their interest in establishing and developing their cultural tour product and package and TAK will assist them through this process.

This activity was 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.

TAK joins World Food Day Planning and Preparation Committee  

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TAK is part of the World Food Day planning and preparation Committee and working closely together with Agriculture & Livestock Division (ALD) for a better commemoration of the World Food Day for 2020.

The world food day is celebrated on the 16th of October every year and this year theme is based on: “Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together, Our Actions Are Our Future”.

TAK is recognized as a one sector that could contribute positively to the planning of the event due to its heavy reliance on food industry as one of the key factors to the quality experience of the visitor.

Home gardening competition, traditional cuisine cookery competition, food presentation competition using the local materials and organic produces and beauty contest using produces that are organically grown is how the World Food Day will be celebrated in Kiribati especially by key communities who are part of the World Food Day committee.

This year, Kiribati will commemorate the World Food Day on the 28 October and will be led by the Agriculture and Livestock Division under the MELAD.

TAK Participates in World Clean Up Day

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati participated in a world and International Coastal clean-up day on Friday 18 September 2020. The clean-up, led by the Ministry of Environment, Land and Agricultural Development was a half-day program at Taiwan Park, Betio.

The world clean-up day is celebrated annually around the world and by participating, TAK highlighted the need for Kiribati to be vigilant in its commitment to strengthen the implementation of solid waste management policies currently in place.

TAK took the opportunity by cleaning up and picking up non-degradable wastes at Takoronga Point, where the Japanese WWII relics remain. Other ministries and sector cleaned up at their designated area.

TAK was pleased to have participated in this clean-up event and looking forward to any future event like this one.

Cultural Rehabilitation and Ecotourism Development in Abemama

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati undertook a cultural rehabilitation program and ecotourism development consultations on the island of Abemama from the 9th to the 14th of August 2020.

On the first week, TAK teamed up with Cultural and Museum Division during their village consultations. These consultations aimed at increasing awareness on the significance of maintaining cultural heritage and planting of resilient local food crops to enhance their food security and maintain the traditional cuisine and to sustain local knowledge and practices in response to the adverse impacts of climate change.

TAK was involved with the cultural rehabilitation consultations and site visit with village elders. This was the second joint Culture and Tourism mission to help restore and rehabilitate site of cultural significance for tourism purpose as well and for future generations to enjoy. The team had the opportunity to discuss with village decision makers ways in which these important sites could be preserved or beautified.

Whilst on the island, TAK had the opportunity to expand its awareness on the importance of ecotourism development to interested communities and villages and a follow up with Reina village on their cultural eco tour program that was developed in 2019. Reina village also informed the team on their interest to establish their own eco-accommodation. This was followed with a site visit and clean up.

Additionally, a visit to Kauma High School by the team, provided the school the opportunity to know and learned the importance of Agritourism Development and linkages between the tourism and agriculture.

The TAK team is expected to revisit Abemama in September to work with active communities, villages and school who have shown interest and to commence their eco-tourism business initiatives as well as continue its engagement with CMD on the beautification of Abemama cultural sites that were identified during the visit.

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.

Kiribati to participate in virtual PATA Travel Mart

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati will participate in the first virtual PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2020, from 23 – 27 September 2020.

The Virtual PATA Travel Mart is a business to business travel contracting and virtual networking event that both mirrors and enhances the features of the long-standing PTM, which boasts over four decades of experience in connecting qualified international buyers and sellers from all of Asia and the Pacific region through pre-matched business appointments.

The event will offer two full business days with a possibility of up to 50 pre-matched appointments across all time zones from 24-25 September…  There will also be two trade visitor days on September 26-27.  This virtual travel mart is also an opportunity for TAK to gain deeper insights on travel recovery through high-quality forums and expand its networks through interactive networking breaks.

Besides having an enhanced booth, Kiribati was also have the opportunity to make a 15-minute pre-recorded video presentation for the presentation hall on the Virtual PTM platform.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati is  excited about the opportunity  to connect with  International travel trade professionals at PTM2020and gauge a better understanding of new travel requirements and expectations during this global pandemic.

 

KIRIBATI on PATA eLearning platform

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Travel agents worldwide will now be able to learn about Kiribati through the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) eLearning platform.

The PATA eLearning platform is for travel agents, tourism professionals, and destination marketers who want to refresh their knowledge about a travel destination.

The Kiribati training module is categorized into 5 modules and these include destination highlights, attractions and activities, culture, customs and events, accommodation, shopping and dining and fast facts.

TAK believes that this is a great opportunity for Kiribati to be to be introduced to travel professionals who are taking this downtime in international travel to learn about new destinations. Once training is completed, participants will be certified as Kiribati specialist agents.

The Kiribati training module can be accessed on www.pataelearning.com and will be available until March 2021.

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.

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