Tourism Authority Kiribati

Kaongora Newsletter

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Ketia Natan

Kiribati Hosts Virtural Plastic Repurposing Training

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in partnership with the Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO), launched the region’s first Pacific Tourism Waste Action Initiative Virtual Training on Monday 14 December 2020 at the AMAK Centre in Bikenibeu, Tarawa.

Funded through the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s (PIFS) CROP Attachment Programme, the training focuses on plastic repurposing activities that contribute to the conservation and protection of marine ecosystems.

The plastic repurposing training also aims to improve community and stakeholder awareness of the importance of improved plastic waste management by turning plastic waste into a useful resource.

The training is based on an inclusive approach in tourism focused on strengthening community engagement and participation in the tourism industry in programs that sustains incomes generation and improve understanding of community’s role in looking after their environment.

The 30 participants of this training represent a diverse section of the Kiribati community’s including, Women’s Association, Nei Mom Uprising, Disabled community, LGBTQI and local artists.

In his official opening address, the Minister of Communication, Information, Transport and Tourism Development, Honourable Tekeeua Tarati said that, “the Government of Kiribati is committed and will continue to implement measures aimed at boosting tourism sector revenue’. He added that “innovative trainings as such are great examples that has our greatest support to help ensure economic benefits of tourism are realized across all communities in Kiribati”.

At the end of the first day of training, Pacific renowned artist and trainer, Mr. Warwick Marlow, commended the participant’s enthusiasm and passion expressed through their craft designs. From his observations, Mr. Marlow is confident that he will see more of Kiribati’s unique handicraft making skills over the next 4 days.

The training will end with a mini exhibition of all developed crafts on Friday 18 December 2020.

TAK Celebrates International Volunteers Day

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati joined international volunteer organization Australian Volunteers Program (AVP), Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to celebrate International Volunteers Day on Friday 04 December 2020 at the Dreamers Lodge in Ambo, South Tarawa.

Hosted by AVP, the program was attended by selected organizations across Tarawa that have benefited from international volunteer assistance.

In welcoming guests, AVP Regional Director, David Jones, who connected via zoom from the Solomon Islands, acknowledged and thanked beneficiary organizations, their families and the people of Kiribati for their warmth and generosity in always making their volunteers welcome in Kiribati.

COVID-19 has affected the 3 volunteer organizations ability to assign volunteers in-country, however their commitment to extending valuable technical assistance to local organizations remain intact and they look forward to resuming these once borders reopen.

In thanking the event hosts, TAK CEO Petero Manufolau acknowledged that COVID-19 presents a unique opportunity for volunteer organizations to look at ways to embrace the new normal. To this note, he confirmed that TAK is currently in discussion with AVP to engage an offsite volunteer to assist the organization in areas such digital marketing.

The event concluded with beneficiary organizations sharing their experiences and a sumptuous lunch catered from by the Dreamers Lodge.

TAK hosts APTC Micro-Credential Course briefing workshop

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), in partnership with the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) conducted a virtual and one on one briefing workshop for enrolled participants of the APTC online Micro-Credential courses on 03 December 2020 at the Vodafone boardroom in Bairiki.

The workshop assisted students with their online registration, and it was an opportunity for both APTC and TAK to attend to student queries.

An initial focus group of forty (40) individuals were targeted undertake these courses which are fully funded by UNDP with support from the government of Japan. However, an overwhelming total of 169 Ikiribati expressed their interest, all of whom have been enrolled into either one or both the courses – Digital Literacy Essentials and Communication Technologies for Business Success.

Students are given until 31 March 2021 to complete the courses and TAK is committed to working with APTC to ensure that all enrolled students are assisted and aims to achieve a 100% completion rate for Kiribati.

New Resort opens in Buariki, North Tarawa

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is delighted to announce the opening of the NEMAT Resort in BUARIKI, North Tarawa from 01 December 2020.

Management says that the resort is ideal for getaways, gatherings & parties, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

Situated on a stretch of brilliant white sandy beach overlooking the turquoise lagoon, the property features both contemporary & locally designed houses/huts and buias with two Maneaba. For group travel, the resort can accommodate a maximum of 70 guests.

Services include a bar, café, and 24 hours restaurant services whilst the traditional beach umbrella and beach lounges offer the ideal spot for a quiet retreat. Complimentary kayaks, guitars and ukuleles are also available onsite and the beach volleyball court is perfect for team building activities.

Transportation including waauowa & speedboat is also available for pickups from and drop offs to South Tarawa. Bookings can be made by telephone on 73041868 or via email at nematkiribati@gmail.com

TAK Celebrates World Food Day

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in World Food Day Celebration on Nonouti Island on 04 – 18 November 2020. This program was organized by LDCF project in collaboration with its key stakeholders.

World Food Day is celebrated annually and this year, LDCF team commemorated it through community consultation and awareness, with its main purpose of encouraging all locals to conserve, preserve and sustain the use of their land and marine resources, against the impact of climate change.

Whilst in Nonouti, TAK  conducted school awareness program to all primary schools, and a Tourism Business Inventory Survey at the Nonouti Island Council Guest House.

This program was supported by the Kiribati 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.

Abemama Island and Food Security

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 The Tourism Authority of Kiribati team had visited Abemama from the 1st to the 16th of November 2020 for a follow-up on development of eco-tourism products through assisting local communities on ways to enhance food security in the context of global climate change using the tourism sector.

The team conducted consultations with active communities and villages on existing and new eco-tourism products for industry partnership development. Agri-domestic skills supporting traditional culinary practices and experiences have incentivise communities with initiatives within the tourism industry at communities based levels.

Abatiku islet had been declared and recognized as a Marine Protected Area to conserve and safeguard marine resources for the welfare and wellbeing of its inhabitants. Reina and Baretoa villages and other factories Development have passed the trial of partnership in outsourcing skills and knowledge to future visitors and tourists on the preservation of food against the impacts of climate change. An official from Tourism, Ms Kiarake Karuaki stated how these activities have motivated communities in Abemama to be prepared toward challenges of food security as climate change unfolds.

A spokesman, Mr Iotebwa Etuati appreciated more alternatives introduced to them, through the tourism industry as a source of revenue and sustainable development. This trip had offered first hand experiences for participants and targeted communities in generating strategies toward food security.

The trip 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.         

 

TAK hosts final PTI Digital Tourism webinar

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) offices in Tarawa and Kiritimati hosted the last sets of the Pacific Trade and Invest (PTI) Australia’s Advance Tourism Digital webinars for their respective tourism operators on Wednesday 04 November 2020.

The webinar covered Content Marketing, Distribution Strategy and Online Payment Solutions and were an extension of the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Market (SEM) online workshops that were held earlier in October.

TAK is leading its industry’s efforts to strengthen Kiribati’s online presence and believes that such an initiative by PTI positively contributes to growing capacity in the digital marketing space for its tourism operators. TAK acknowledges that the content of the webinars was applicable given the status quo in international tourism and the training has helped open their minds to the opportunities available through an effective digital marketing program.

The webinars were attended by 8 operators in Tarawa and 4 operators in Kiritimati.

 

TAK & KiriCAN discuss Collaboration Opportunities

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) met with the Kiribati Climate Action Network (KiriCAN) on 13 October 2020 to discuss opportunities for collaboration between the two organisations.

KiriCAN is the mother organisation for climate change and resilience NGO’s in Kiribati and is well recognised for developing effective climate change mitigation initiatives through agriculture and environmental conservation.

For over 10 years, KiriCAN has been worked with over 700 communities around Kiribati including South Tarawa and other Gilbert island to build resilient initiatives against the impact of climate change. Their activities include capacity building on agricultural skills and techniques to maximize the production, soap making (noni and charcoal), farming healthy greens (organic culinary) and nutritious foods, noni juice, and antibiotics.

The KiriCAN promotes a resilient Kiribati through local adaptation measures as well as a mind-set that will train the local I-Kiribati citizens that climate change is not a threat but an opportunity to learn more on how to survive with it and what are alternatives that can generates revenue.

TAK acknowledges the opportunities KiriCAN presents for the development of responsible and agritourism niche products through community engagement and both organisations seek to explore these potentials further.

 

 

Kiritimati South East Peninsula committee meets

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in Kiritimati is part of the South East Peninsula Project Committee, developed to implement a project that will safeguard Kiritimati Island’s Wildlife.

The committee met on 26 October 2020 to discuss a budget and program for the launch of a new “Kiritimati Island Conservation Protected Areas” project.

The project will be funded under the BIOPAMA programme, an initiative of the ACP Group of States financed by the European Development Fund (EDF), jointly implemented by the International Union for conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Joint Research Center of the European Commission (JRC).

It is envisioned that the project will enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas in Kiritimati by addressing existing limitations, strengthening on-site infrastructure/equipment for patrolling, poaching control, developing capacity of staff. The project will also enforce the legal framework required to achieve effective biodiversity and to support local communities’ initiatives that will enhance the livelihoods of local people and effectively contribute to the management of protected areas.

The project will also oversee the development of the management plan for the protected areas in Kiritimati. Once completed, the plan will provide recommendations for sustainable tourism activities that will generate long term benefits both to the environment and the national economy.

Kiritimati Business Award Survey  

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) together with the Ministry of Industry & Cooperatives (MCIC) in Kiritimati Island conducted a Kiribati Business Survey to five of Kiritimati Accommodations on Thursday 15 October 2020.

Properties surveyed included the Village Hotel, Lagoon View Resort, Little Flower, Sunset Horizon Fishing Lodge and IKARI House. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on travel to Kiritimati, the survey criteria and questionnaire were altered to reflect the current status of accommodation business operations in Kiritimati

The survey measured each accommodation’s performance based in these new criteria where the highest achiever will be crowned winner Accommodation and Hospitality category in the 2020 Kiribati National Business Awards.

Kiritimati will hold its National Business awards on 28 December 2020.