Tourism Authority Kiribati

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Tourism Authority participates in LDCF retreat for year 2020 costed workplan

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Two staff from TAK (Tourism Authority of Kiribati) were amongst 29 participants from different Government Ministry departments that took part in a weekend retreat held at Abaokoro, North Tarawa from the 13th-15th of December 2019.

The retreat was hosted by the Project Management Unit under the LDCF-I (Least Developed Countries Fund) Project. It is funded by the GEF (Global Environment Facility) Program under the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and implemented under the Environment and Conservation Division with the support of the United Nations Development Programme.

The purpose of the retreat was to review and finalise the activities for the 3 project islands, and devise a workplan and budget for the year 2020. It also allowed for the different stakeholders to devise ways in which they can work together on joint mission strategies. The members of the retreat comprised of 9 ministries, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource Development, Local Government Division, Culture and Museum Division, Environment and Conservation Division, Agriculture and livestock division, Ministry of Commerce and Industrial Cooperatives, Tourism Authority of Kiribati, Kiribati Local Government Association and Kiribati Meteorological Service.

TAK was able to discuss with the various departments regarding collaborative efforts to be able to achieve its objectives of demonstrating a community- based tourism management model. This is planned through development of community based sportfishing and complementary niche products business plan, capacity building and marketing and promotions and ensuring that the islands of Nonouti, Abemama and Maiana are tourism ready.

TOURISM BUSINESS & INVENTORY SURVEY 2020: TBIS for South Tarawa conducted on 14-15 January 2020  

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The Research and Statistics team from TAK met with all accommodation providers on South Tarawa from January 14th – 15th to conduct the annual Tourism Business & Inventory Survey (TBIS). The TBIS collects and updates our database on the number of accommodations available, number of beds, staff training needs, along with the accommodation services, facilities and contact information.

Another key component of the TBIS is updating our images of the various properties so our promotional materials are as updated as possible with the latest pictures and information regarding any upgrades made over the past 12 months by the properties.

Over the coming weeks, the TBIS will be carried out in the outer islands of the Gilbert Group.

The TBIS methodology consists of one on one interviews with a senior hotel staff or the owner and taking photos of the rooms, common areas, facilities and extra features which, the properties feel that need promoting such as solar panels, gardens, non-motorized water activity equipment and others. The survey was conducted only on accommodations that provide housekeeping services as this fall under the definition of a ‘hotel’. Rental homes and apartments without regular housekeeping services were not surveyed.

Furthermore, this year is the first time a Climate Change and Biodiversity component has been added to our survey to gauge how the properties feel they are affected by climate change and also the measures they are taking to mitigate these impacts.

A total of 11 accommodation providers were surveyed on South Tarawa.

Increasing awareness on the sustainable use of land and marine resources for Enhancing food security on all the pilot islands LDCF-I Project.

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Three teams which includes the Tourism Authority of Kiribati visited and conducted a roadshow program at all the pilot islands of LDCF-I project; Maiana Abemama and Nonouti from 25/10/19 – 4/11/19 in commemoration of the World Food Day. The roadshow was organized by the Project management unit within LDCF in collaboration with its Advocacy Working Committee. 3 youth drama groups were engaged in this awareness program.

The purpose of the roadshow is to increase the visibility of the LDCF-I project in its aim to build the resilience of the indigenous people on these islands so their capacity is enhanced to sustain their livelihood against the impacts of climate change. TAK delivered a presentation on the importance of Tourism in Kiribati.

During the roadshow, the benefits were also clarified to the people so they would be motivated to participate and appreciate the project activities. About 4,000 people were watching the roadshow from all the pilot islands including the women, men, youth and people who are living with disabilities.

According to the overall report received from the 3 teams, it shows that the audience did enjoy all the drama shows and that they were also willingly participated in the quiz competition. Such manners show that the audience did understand and absorb the concept shared in the drama show.

The roadshow program in all the pilot islands was supported by the Kiribati LDCF I Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented under the Environment and Conservation

Simplified IALA risk assessment workshop.

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A team from the Marine Division of the Ministry of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development and Secretariat of the Pacific Community conducted a one-day workshop on Simplified IALA (International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities) Risk Assessment on 28th November 2019, in Kiritimati Island. The workshop was attended by Fisherman Association, Wildlife and Conservation Division, Customs, Marine Guard, CPPL (Central Pacific Producers Ltd.) and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK).

The main purpose of the workshop is to meet with concern stakeholders to assist in providing and assessing possible risks that would contribute to the safety of Navigation in the future.

The outcome of the workshop provides information that are vital for the safety management of our marine. This includes, the renewal of the Navigational/Hydrographic charts, installation of AtoNs (Aids to Navigations) and providing training on the rules of marine navigation.

Installation of new AtoNs at the main channel in London and providing new and updated Navigational charts would support cruise tourism development in Kiritimati and would also provide safety of tourists travelling in the sea for fishing, diving and surfing.

Kiribati Team participating in the World Fly Fishing Championship in Tasmania

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Kiribati was amongst the 23 countries who participated in the World Fly Fishing Championship held in Tasmania from 30th November 2019 till 8th December 2019.

Despite the weather condition which they have never encountered before, they did perform well during the competition.

At the end of the competition, Kiribati finished 19th followed by Japan 20th, Mongolia 21st and Wales 22nd. Individually for the competition, the finishing order for the I-Kiribati team members were Eketi 86th, Beia 87th, TK 89th, Menty 93rd and Taatoa 99th out of 114 fishing.

This was a spectacular effort considering they have never fished for trout before and in such weather condition.

The team returns to Kiritimati on the 11th December 2019

TAK Staff attends Tourism Fellowship, Hawaii 2019

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The East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP), in cooperation with the Professional Fellows Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, conducts the Pacific Islands Tourism Professional Fellows Program.

Each year this program brings two cohorts of tourism industry professionals from the Pacific Islands to Honolulu, Hawai‘i for intensive six-week programs that build significant new capacity and facilitate enduring professional bonds between industry leaders in the United States and the Pacific Islands.

This year, Senior Officer for Marketing Promotion and Communication in Tarawa Mrs Sarah Teetu Reymond was amongst the 17 tourism professionals from around the Pacific selected to be part of this fellowship program. She was one of the 2 participants selected from Kiribati to attend this fellowship training.

Each participant is required to implement a project based on their individual project plan that was submitted in Hawaii and Mrs. Reymond has chosen the area “Preserving Cultural and Natural Heritage through Destination Marketing, Branding and Sustainable Tourism Practices with an emphasis on small private and community tourism based related business empowerment” to implement as her home-based project.

Kiribati welcomes China Tourism Destination Status

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) acknowledges and welcome’s the People’s Republic of China’s announcement to declare Kiribati as a tourism destination for Chinese citizens.

This announcement comes following the historic state visit to China by Kiribati President, Hon Taneti Maamau.

The Approved Destination Status (ADS) is the arrangement between the Chinese Government and the Government of Kiribati to let Chinese holiday travelers visit Kiribati in a tour group. The ADS, therefore, give the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) the permission to promote Kiribati as a holiday destination in China and presents Kiribati with the opportunity to grow tourism accordingly.

The China Outbound Tourism market continues to enjoy year on year growth recording 63.1 million international outbound trips in 2019. Such growth is fueled by the increase in disposable personal income, waiving of visa requirements into selected countries and the growing desire by Chinese nationals to travel the world. The Chinese outbound market also spends generously, and forecasts indicate global Chinese tourism spending to exceed US$163 Billion by 2024.

As a small Pacific island destination, TAK is optimistic that with adequate tourism infrastructure development, the Chinese visitor market can drive tourism revenue growth and create new employment opportunities for Kiribati.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Chief Executive Officer, Petero Manufolau says that “growth from China market will be based on a sustainable low volume, high-value holiday experience promoting the unique cultures, diverse marine life, the laid-back lifestyle in the islands and its people”.

Manufolau adds that Air Kiribati’s new Embraer E190 jets which are scheduled to commence international services from March 2020 will also play an important role in helping facilitate the growth of its China international visitor market.

To prepare the destination for the Chinese market, TAK has commenced discussions and work on the adoption of a national China-Ready training program, tourism investment opportunities portfolio, Chinese tour operator product training and destination marketing initiatives to raise awareness of Kiribati in China.

Bakery Training for Tarawa Tourism Operators

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is undertaking bakery training for selected tourism operators on South Tarawa.

Conducted by Tourism Officer Ms Tikarerei Uriam, this complimentary training is part of TAK’s capacity building development program for hotels/accommodation kitchen staffs. Through this training, participants are encouraged and taught to support and enhance a variety of cakes and pastries to their customers.

Participants, through their employers, contribute to baking ingredients and other materials relevant to the training and training are conducted in their respective hotel. Accommodation providers participating in this training include the George Hotel, Fema Lodge, Utirerei Hotel and Dreamers.

The training began in December 2019 and it will be run until late January 2020. Each of these accommodations is scheduled to have three days of training with two baking recipes offered to them daily, thus a total recipe of six (6) baking recipes for each accommodation provider.

This training will conclude at the end of January 2020 and TAK looks forward to the improved patisserie experiences in South Tarawa.

New Shops open in Bonriki International Airport

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Passenger experiences at Tarawa International Airport has been enhanced with the opening of 2 new outlets in the terminal building.

Departing passengers can now enjoy freshly brewed coffee and other refreshments with their families before they proceed to immigration and security clearance.

In the departure lounge, a wider beverage selection with freshly baked muffins and cookies is available at Colorz Air for passengers who wish to enjoy a light meal before boarding their flight.

TAK attends closing ceremony of 2019 China – Pacific Island Countries Year of Tourism and Opening of CITM in Kunming

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) on the invitation of Luo Shugang, China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, attended the closing ceremony of the 2019 China – Pacific Island Countries Year of Tourism in Kunming on 15 November 2019.

The China – Pacific Year of Tourism 2019 offered a great opportunity for Pacific Island countries to showcase China what the Pacific Island countries has to offer in tourism and increased awareness of the potential that China has for the Pacific as an emerging market.

The closing ceremony coincided with the official opening of the 2019 China International Travel Mart (CITM) where TAK undertook product update training for Chinese travel trade and media partners. This was an initial introduction of Kiribati to the Chinese market and the session was used to establish links with valuable stakeholders.

TAK will work with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and Pacific Trade & Invest (PRI) China to further develop its presence in the Chinese market, including a China Market Ready workshop in 2020 and the translation of its collaterals/ information into Chinese.