Tourism Authority Kiribati

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Kiritimati Junior Secondary School Cultural Day

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Cultural celebration has been part of the fabric of Kiribati schools for decades and it is still celebrated in schools till date. Part of the celebration includes a competition on three different things, singing (choir), local dancing and playing different types of local games. Local produce and foods were also displayed for sale during the day.

Given that culture is recognized as the subset of tourism and provides social and economic benefits to the local community at large, sustainable revival of our culture through school cultural celebration is vital for maintaining and keeping our, identity and integrity as an I-Kiribati.

TAK support this initiative and is planning to work with schools that celebrate cultural day and have their dates included in the 2021 tourism event Calendar for travellers who want to see and experience the Kiribati culture and have it include it also on a list of things to do while in Kiribati.

International Visitors Survey 2019 Report

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The International Visitors Survey 2019 (IVS 2019) report will be released in July 2020 following the conclusion of the survey in 2020. The IVS 2019 ran for a period of 12 months, having commenced on March 25th 2019 and conducted by enumerators and TAK staff using iPads supplied by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO).

The IVS is an internationally recognized survey using two methods, online questionnaires sent to departing visitors or face to face interviews at the departure lounge of the airport. Among the data recorded in this project were; preferred mode of transport; average amount spent on accommodation and meals; purpose of visit; satisfaction with facilities and services used or experienced while in Kiribati; tourist activities participated in; demographics; whether or not they would recommend Kiribati to friends and family and many others.

The survey managed to capture a total of 1405 responses with 1155 from Tarawa and 250 from Kiritimati.

Furthermore, the IVS 2019 was developed in partnership with the SPTO and funded by the European Union – Kiribati Cooperation. The SPTO also provided the iPads on which the questionnaires were loaded and also provided the training on the use of the iPads.

The data is being analysed in-house by the TAK Research & Statistics division.

The Report should provide insightful details into where Kiribati lies in terms of tourist satisfaction, comfort and safety and allow policy makers, the private sector and the communities to work together to fill the gaps identified in the survey for the benefit of both the locals and our visitors.

New Maneaba Cultural Tourism in Kiritimati

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) joined the Kiritimati community at the opening ceremony of the “Tokanikai II” Kiribati Uniting Church Maneaba, in Poland, Christmas Island on 13th June 2020.

A Maneaba is a traditional Kiribati meeting house and is central to the island’s way of life. Its size reflects its importance to the community and are characterized with low extended roofs that require guests to bow when entering the Maneaba, as a sign of respect.

At the ceremony, TAK OIC, Tekonaba Teburea, acknowledged the importance of the Maneaba in Kiribati culture and encouraged the community to maintain and preserve it.

Mr Teburea also had the opportunity to create awareness on the importance of tourism in a community and its contribution to our socio-economic development.

The opening of ‘Tokanikai II’ was one of the biggest functions held in Poland, and was attended by officials from the Ministry of Line and the Phoenix Islands.

WWII Relics Cleanup drive at Takoronga Point

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) commemorated World Environment Day through a clean-up drive at the World War ll relics at Takoronga point in Betio on Saturday 06th June 2020.

The war relics include 2x 8inch vickers anti-ship coastal guns and bunker installed by the Japanese during its occupation of Betio in World War ll.

As custodian of all World War ll relics in Kiribati, TAK is working with local partners such as the Ministry of Environment Lands and Agricultural Development (Environment Conservation Division), local communities and private businesses to undertake the clean-up and preservation of all World War ll relics in Kiribati.

The 06th June clean-up was supported by the local Takoronga community who also planted flowers along the road to help beautify the site. The event concluded with refreshments and a community picnic the following weekend.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati Celebrates 1st Anniversary

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) celebrated its 1st year anniversary with a quiet celebration at its head office in Betio, South Tarawa on Wednesday 10 June 2020.

In his welcome address, TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau thanked the Government of Kiribati (GoK) for its vision in recognizing the potential tourism has for the economy and for the opportunity for TAK to lead the development and marketing of tourism in Kiribati.

The event was an opportunity for the organisation to celebrate its achievements in the last 12 months and share its strategies, particularly as current global COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact global travel.

Chief guest and Minister of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development, Honourable Willie Tokataake reaffirmed the Government of Kiribati’s (GoK) commitment to provide key supporting economic infrastructures that directly or indirectly support tourism development as reflected in Kiribati’s Vision for the next 20 Years (KV20). He added that the recent development and upgrading of outer island airports and key international ports on Tarawa, Christmas and Kanton underpin government strong desire to promote and develop tourism in the country.

Kiribati recorded a 19% increase in international visitors in 2019 and a 11% increase in the number of beds available in country. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a 60% decline in international visitor arrivals as at May 2020 and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati anticipates a greater decline due to continued travel restrictions.

In its ‘Reset Kiribati’ strategy, TAK will be implementing a series initiatives and activities aimed at addressing the needs of the new traveler post COVID-19. These include destination awareness on what TAK believes will be the ‘new normal’, tourism operator training, product update for international tour operators and niche focused digital marketing campaigns

PIPA TOURISM INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

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The PIPA Tourism Advisory subcommittee (PTASC)met in 21 May to review the Request for Proposal (RFP) for an Integrated Sustainable Tourism Development in Kanton and other potential areas in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA).

Chaired by PIPA Implementation Office (PIO), PTASC is made up of stakeholder representatives from Tourism, Lands, Culture, and the Commerce Ministry.

Once finalised, the RFP will be an invitation to potential investors to consider sustainable tourism development in PIPA. The RFP is based on Kanton, Orona and Nikumaroro, the island believed to be final resting place of aviator Amelia Earhart.

The next meeting to finalize the draft Request Proposal Document is scheduled to the 2nd week of June 2020.

KIRITIMATI TOURISM AWARENESS PROGRAM

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TAK Kiritimati through support from the Ministry of Line & Phoenix Islands Development conducted its Annual Tourism Awareness Program to all primary schools and Junior Secondary school between 29 April to 15 May 2020.

The main purpose of the awareness was to educate students on the importance and benefits of tourism in Kiritimati. The program targeted year 6 and year 9 students in the 3 primary schools and 1 Junior Secondary School.

The school awareness program coincides with the inclusion of tourism in the year 9 curriculum from 2020 and TAK will continue to look at other creative ways to engage students into thinking more seriously about tourism as a contributor to economic development and social well-being.

TAK will undertake more awareness programs during the upcoming Independence Day celebration and World Tourism Day.

ABEMAMA FLY FISHING ASSESSMENT AND AGRITOURISM CONSULTATION

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A team of three (3) officials, assembled by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), conducted their second fly-fishing exploratory assessment in Abemama on the 5th to 15th May 2020. The team’s main task was to undertake a follow-up assessment of the initial exploratory assessment conducted back in 2018. This assessment is to conclude whether Abemama is qualified to be developed as a game-fishing destination or requires more time.

The assessment was conducted within eight days, with only a few tailings of bonefish in the shallows which indicated that bonefish was threatened as a result of heavy fishing and over-exploitation. The team was also able to scout the lagoon areas from the sky with the aid of an aerial drone, but there were no bonefish schools spotted. This issue seems to be unpromising for Abemama, regarding ecotourism development and fly-fishing tourism.

Bonefish on the island is scarce due to heavy netting pressure affecting the fish stock, making it hard to sight the bonefish as compared to the flats on Kiritimati and Fanning in the Line islands. The team recommended future development at Abemama, involving regeneration and protection of the bonefish stock through appropriate bye-laws, during aggregation and spawn seasons, not just for bonefish but for other marine finfish as well. Establishing marine protected areas were also encouraged but these initiatives lie within the various community leaders and the Island Council.

Due to flight issues, the team extended their trip and was able to conduct consultation sessions, with Abemama Green Hotel, Chevalier College, Reina Village, Kiribati Uniting Church at Tabiang, Island Council Piggery Farm, Uarokoan te Kabwaia Incorporate Society from Tebanga Village, and Mwanoku Catholic Seminary, promoting Agritourism. This consultation aimed to improve food-security, and linking agriculture with local accommodation providers in using agriculture into business, landscape, and the beautification of the marine and land environments thus enhancing food security in the context of climate change.

Although the fly fishery assessment was not quite a success, the consultation of the Agritourism program was much more promising for Abemama island.

The trip was supported by the Food Security Project, commonly known as the LDCF-1 which is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP and managed by the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) under the MELAD

    

TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE COASTAL FISHERIES

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) attended the Commonwealth Blue Charter National Workshop on Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Action Group from on 22 and 23 May 2020 at Teuanete Maneaba in Taborio.

The Blue Charter is an initiative from the Commonwealth on sustainable management and development of the marine resources. It has 10 action groups which will address issues and developments on different areas of the ocean.

Kiribati initiated to champion the 10th action group called Sustainable Coastal Fisheries which will be led by the Coastal Fisheries Division under the Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resource Development (MFMRD).

Among key stakeholders, TAK delivered a presentation sharing the linkages between tourism and the sustainable coastal fisheries and highlighted how tourism can contribute to achieving sustainable coastal fisheries. TAK also raised the notion of possible areas of collaboration between stakeholders and underlined issues that may hinder the successful development of sustainable coastal fisheries and the development of marine eco-tourism.

TAK looks forward to its continued participation and contribution to Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Action Group. END

NEW INTEGRATED LAND USE PLAN FOR KIRITIMATI

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The Ministry of Line & Phoenix Islands hosted a launching ceremony on Friday 1st May 2020, to mark the official completion of the New Integrated Land Use Plan for Kiritimati Island. Minister for the Line & Phoenix Hon. Mikarite Temari officiate this launching ceremony declaring the completion of this very important plan on behalf of the Government.

The Honourable Minister stressed the importance of this plan as a guideline for land use management to control, prevent and legislate such developments to refrain Kiritimati Island from confronting issues that is now currently been experienced by South Tarawa due to overpopulation and unplanned developments.

He added that the implementation of the plan would also help in achieving the Government vision for 20 years (KV20) on tourism developments.

With the plan confirming potential tourism sites, TAK Kiritimati will work with the Lands Division, Wildlife and Conservation Division, Fisheries and MLPID to regulate and manage these sites.

The event was also attended by the Mayor to Kiritimati Urban Council, Church leaders and communities on the island, Parliament representatives from Kiritimati and Teraina Islands and government officials. The program ended with a tour of the ILUP maps displayed on the notice board. END