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TAK attends 3rd China – Pacific Economic Development and Cooperation Forum

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22 October 2019:

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) was part of the Kiribati delegation to the 3rd China – Pacific Islands Economic Development and Cooperation Forum held in Apia, Samoa on 21 October 2019.

The delegation was led by the Hon Minister for (MELAD) and included government officials from various ministry’s and the office of the President.

In its submission, TAK recognized the potential that the People’s Republic of China presents for the Kiribati tourism market and the need to raise awareness on tourism investment opportunities across the nation.

TAK attends 3rd China – Pacific Economic Development and Cooperation Forum

Chief Executive Officer, Petero Manufolau used the forum to create awareness on Kiribati’s vision for its tourism sector highlighting that the delivery of Air Kiribati’s Embraer jet aircrafts in December will mean a giant leap forward for the destination.

TAK shared that the sustainable growth of tourism in Kiribati however cannot be realized merely by the increased airline seat capacity from 2020. Other factors such product development, effective marketing and promotion and a China ready approach to human resource development and service delivery play an important role in achieving this.  Most vital to all these is an initial commitment to tourism infrastructure investment that will help pave the way for sustainable tourism growth in Kiribati.

TAK is chair of SIST Tourism Subcommittee

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03 October 2019:
Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) was voted to the chairmanship role of the Small Island States & (SIST) Tourism Subcommittee at the Pacific Tourism Organisation (formerly the South Pacific Tourism Organisation) Board of Directors meeting in Niue on Thursday 03 October 2019.

Members of SIST includes American Samoa, Niue, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Kiribati, Tokelau and Wallis & Futuna.

The primary role of the subcommittee is to champion the tourism development priorities of the SIST’s within PTO as most of them fall into the lower end of the tourism spectrum in the Pacific.

 

TAK is chair of SIST Tourism Subcommittee

Tourism Authority of Kiribati

The SIST subcommittee meeting noted transport/connectivity, capacity building, planning, proposal writing, contract writing, business writing, information sharing and climate change adaptation & resilience as the key tourism development priorities for its members.

The Pacific Island Forum Leaders Conference in Tuvalu listed climate change, air and sea transportation, health & marine as their key priorities for the region. Whilst tourism was not specifically identified as a priority area, SIST acknowledged that tourism cuts through these 4 priority areas. It therefore believes that there is a need for stronger push for tourism and has tasked the PTO secretariat to find more information of SIS Development Fund and SIS Roadmap for Accelerating Development.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati’s engagement in such an important working committee reflects its mission of becoming an active partner to tourism development in the Pacific

Pacific Tourism Statistics Assessment PARIS21 – SPTO collaboration on the preparation of Pacific Tourism Statistics Strategy 2020 – 2024

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The South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO), Paris 21 and the TAK met with various Government offices and a private sector business from October 21st – 23rd to discuss statistics and data related issues and concerns on tourism as part of the project on “Pacific Tourism Statistics Assessment, a collaboration between SPTO, Paris 21 and member countries.

Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21) promotes the better use and management of statistics throughout the developing world.

The assessment will involve site visits in only six of the fifteen selected case study Pacific Island countries (PICs) from October to December. The countries to be visited are Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Niue and Tonga. For the other PICs, desk research and interviews by Skype and phone calls will be conducted. Countries were selected based on a fair representation of the Pacific Islands sub-regions of Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia as well as the different market segments, source markets, depth of tourism statistics development and the number of arrivals.

Pacific Tourism Statistics Assessment PARIS21 - SPTO collaboration on the preparation of Pacific Tourism Statistics Strategy 2020 - 2024

Mr. Mark Lound, a Regional Consultant on Tourism Statistics engaged by Paris21 and Mr. Kotoyawa Tamani, SPTO Tourism Officer, met with the Immigration Office, National Statistics Office, National Economic Planning Office, Climate Finance Division, Coastal Fisheries Division, Tobaraoi, LINNIX, Education, Environment Conservation Division, Public Health Division and Customs.

The results of the assessment will inform the design of the regional tourism statistics strategy that would align with the development priorities on tourism in the region as articulated in the Strategic Plan 2020-2024 and will support the data needs of the strategy.

The overall objective of the project is to design a regional strategy for the strengthening of tourism statistics in the Pacific to align with the policy priorities on tourism in the region and support data needs of the SPTO’s  2020-2024 Strategic Plan. This assessment report on tourism statistics in the Pacific is expected to be completed in March 2020.

Integrated Vulnerability Assessment of Banaba

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) was also part of the Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (IVA) team to Banaba trip led by the Office of Te Beretitenti (OB). Various Government Ministries who were also part of the survey included the Ministry of Education, Agricultural division, Coastal Fisheries Division, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

The team departed Tarawa on the 29th of September and arrived at Banaba on 1st October. The purpose of the survey was to identify the main issues in relation to the climate change impacts encountered by the people of Banaba.

The survey was conducted on the 2nd of October 2019, and it involved different focus groups from different villages which included, youth, women, men, handicapped etc. The TAK took the opportunity to conduct its own mapping activity by collecting the coordinates of some historical sites such as the Te B’angab’anga Cave (Banaban Cave), Monument of Albert Fuller Ellis, Slaughter Site, and the Phosphate Mining area. These sites hold significant history of Banaba which can serve as historical attractions for those who wish to visit the island.

 

Integrated Vulnerability Assessment of Banaba

Banaba has the potential to develop tourism products such the WWII history and the phosphate mining by the British Phosphate Commission. These sites can serve as attractions to those whose families worked on Banaba during the phosphate mining period as well as researchers and WWII enthusiasts.

The island is ideal for ecotourism activities such as kayaking and snorkeling as the water is very clear and clean. However, a feasibility study is required to properly identify the exact sites for these water activities for the safety of the visitors.

The potential for niche tourism development is present however this may require further support in infrastructure and capacity building to develop these activities so that the island can be promoted as an attraction.

Tourism Awareness Campaign with Grade Nine Students at Junior Secondary Schools on South Tarawa and Betio

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati carried out a school awareness campaign to all Grade 9 levels on South Tarawa and Betio which commenced from mid-September to end of October this year.

The main purpose of this campaign is to explain to students and young ones about the potential of tourism and how it will assist and support their lives in the future and the future economic development of Kiribati.

Three Government Level 9 schools that are JSS TUC 1, JSS TUC 2 and BTC JSS plus four Level 9 Church schools, Santa Maria College, Moroni High School, William Goward Memorial School and St Louis High School that were visited by TAK team.

Tourism Awareness Campaign with Grade 9 Students at Junior Secondary Schools on South Tarawa and Betio

The program carried out annually, not just through school awareness campaign but through roadshows and community visits, aiming to spread awareness on the potential of tourism to everyone.

World record set in Nonouti Island

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A new world record was set by one of the anglers Mr. Jan Forzpaniak for catching the biggest bone fish that weights 8lbs.

7 anglers, 5 Australians and 2 Americans arrived on South Tarawa on the 11th of September 2019 to go on a bone fishing trip at Nonouti Island. Mr. Gavin from Tie ‘N’ Fly Outfitters and his wife coordinate this trip with the assistant of the Assistance Tourism Officer Ms. Tikarerei Uriam from Tourism Authority of Kiribati, and 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.

World Record Set in Nonouti Island

The group arrived in Nonouti on 12th September 2019 and were greeted at the airport by staff of Nonouti Island Guest House. On arrival, the groups went on a cultural tour and visited historical sites of Nonouti Island. There were also 7 local fishing guides at the island to assist and guide each of angler. Mr. Gavin  trained two local fishing guides.

The anglers commended the local fishing guide and their hosts for the exceptional hospitality they received in Nonouti.

 

Kiribati team to participate in World Fly Fishing Championship in Tasmania

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The Villages Hotel in Kiritimati will participate as “Team Kiribati” at the 39th Fips-Mouche World Fly Fishing Competition from 30 November – 08 December 2019 in Tasmania, Australia.

The team of professional fishing guides from Kiritimati includes Mr Ekeiti Tekaibo (team captain), Atanibeia Taoaba, Taatoa Ioteti, Toanikarawa Tiromaea and Kirimento Aiete

They are scheduled to depart Kiritimati on 13 November and will undertake more preparations and training in Tasmania ahead of the competition date.

Funding for their participation has been possible through the fundraising support of the Village hotel’s management, staffs and their families.

Kiribati team to participate in World Fly Fishing Championship in Tasmania

TAK attends the National Trade Show

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati was fortunate to be part of the National Trade Show held on the 26th -27th September 2019. During the first day of the event, two staff from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati able to meet with the exhibitors to get to know their business and products, discuss on opportunities where TAK could assist on especially in the promotion and marketing of their local made products varies from handicrafts, Mauri wear, local food and garment products that could form part of the unique souvenirs which the tourists could buy as take away gifts or souvenirs from Kiribati.

There were 27 exhibitors altogether which TAK was privileged to meet and build network with. During the discussion, TAK encouraged the local handicraft makers and the rest of the exhibitors to keep continuing what they do, to come up with innovative ideas that could enhance the quality of their local made products to attract the tourists to take them as souvenir upon leaving Kiribati. TAK affirms the exhibitors that it is ready to continue promoting the handicrafts through it different marketing and promotion means such as social media Facebook page, travel guides and website.

Pionair applies for twice weekly flights to Tarawa, Kiribati

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Charter airline Pionair Australia has applied to The International Air Services Commission (IASC) to operate twice weekly passenger services from Brisbane to Tarawa, Kiribati via Honiara, Solomon Islands and Nauru.

The airline’s application requests to operate return trips and includes a combined passenger/cargo service to Nauru.

The application is for a 184-seater E190-E2 aircraft or substitute to service these routes.

If successful, these new flights should boost visitor arrivals into Tarawa.

Pionair applies for twice weekly flights to Tarawa Island

Working Committee to look after the maintenance and beautification of WWII relics on Betio, Tarawa.

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The WWII relics Working Committee comprising of representatives from various stakeholders of relevant Ministries and organizations via Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy, Ministry of Information, Communications and Tourism Development, Office of Te Beretitenti, the Betio Town Council and the Red Cross  has recently been set up by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) to look after and manage the maintenance and beautification of all key WWII Relics that can be seen on Betio.

The Working Committee held its first meeting on Friday, 13th September 2019 at the Ministry of Information, Communications and Tourism Development where they discussed and brainstormed ideas on how the current state of these WWII relics can be maintained in order to be more sustainable in future for incoming travelers interested in visiting these historical sites. The committee also had an opportunity as part of the meeting to do the sites visit to get a firsthand experience and observations on the current issues relating to these WWII relics and to come up with ideas and recommendations that would help solve these issues.

Working Committee to look after the maintenance and beautification of WWII relics on Betio, Tarawa

Among the issues discussed at the meeting that was considered a priority was the need to get cabinet’s clarifications on who has the ownership and guardianship of all these WWII relics. Once this has been cleared, the next important step for the committee would be to convene its next meeting and start working on the issues and recommendations as identified following the sites visit for the maintenance and beautification of all these WWII relics.

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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