Taare Rikiai – Page 5 – Kaongora Newsletter

TAK promotes the new tourism registration and licensing regulation to the Line & Phoenix Islands

August 13, 2024August 7, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry, and Cooperatives (MTCIC) held a half-day awareness campaign with the Mayor, Councilors, and the clerk of the Kiritimati Urban Council on 29th July on the new licensing regime for all local tourism operators under the new TAK Regulation which stipulates that the collection of tourism license fees will be implemented by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in 2025.

The awareness consultation was led by legal advisor Mr. Waimauri Nawaia from the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry, and Cooperatives in Tarawa, who was accompanied by the Principal Tourism Officer from TAK office based in Kiritimati Island.
In the existing practice, the Kiritimati Urban Council Office, like other island council offices throughout Kiribati, collects the hotel and tour operation license fees. Through this awareness consultation, the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industries & Cooperatives promoted and informed the Kiritimati Urban Council that by the beginning of 2025, all licenses from hotels and tour operations will be collected and payable to the Tourism Authority of Kiribati.

The Kiritimati Urban Council is very supportive of this new change. The mayor and his councilors are looking forward to further development of the tourism and hospitality sector as anticipated in this change.

Kiritimati is now the 5th island to be informed about this new role by TAK and the new licensing initiative. Further awareness will be extended to Tabuaeran (Fanning Island) and Teraina (Washington Island) later in the year.

TAK supports Kiritimati island’s Beautification Initiative

August 7, 2024August 6, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Kiritimati Island TAK team took a huge role in being part of the organizing committee to promote the beautification, gardening, sanitation, and water hygiene competition on Kiritimati Island. The competition was held between 30 registered households as part of the 45th Kiribati Independence Day event in July. The competition was initially planned and implemented in 2022 and will be a continuous activity for households on Kiritimati to participate and compete.

The purpose of the competition is to promote a cleaner and healthier Kiritimati Island community that will contribute to achieving Kiritimati Island’s aspiration of being a “New Paradise.”

This initiative was chaired and promoted by the Ministry of Lands, Environment & Agricultural Development through its Agriculture Division based on the island and was joined by other stakeholders from the Wildlife Unit, Ministry of Line Islands, the WASH project, and the TAK team who formed the organizing committee.

The Ministry of Linnix awarded a competition prize of $1,500, and the WASH project donated 30 filter buckets to participants. These participants were involved in cleaning water tank catchments to ensure accessible drinking water, building cooking huts for boiling water, and installing tippy taps for hand washing.

The 30 registered households participated in the competition and were all commended for their creativity and innovations in creating their household tippy taps, and waste reduction methods, and for promoting home vegetable gardening, growing cabbage, cucumber, pawpaw, and other vegetables.

TAK Releases 2024 First Quarter Tourism Review

July 3, 2024July 2, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati has published its Quarter 1 Tourism Industry Review for 2024, revealing exciting growth in the sector. The report shows a 100% increase in international arrivals when compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic.

In the first quarter of 2024, the USA became the top source market for Kiribati, surpassing Pacific Islanders who had been the top source market since Q1 2023. This quarter, 25.9% of arrivals to Kiribati were from the USA. Most of these American visitors travelled to Kiritimati for leisure, specifically for fly fishing holidays.

In the first quarter of 2024, Kiribati continued to welcome cruise passengers, although only one cruise ship visited. As a result, the number of cruise passengers was 65% lower than in 2023.

The report also highlights a boost in domestic air travel and a decrease in domestic marine travel. It also captured the number of visitors to the Museum.

Additionally, the report notes improvements in the tourism supply. Employment in the tourism sector has increased by 97%, showing that more jobs are being created. The reports covered a detailed increase in the other tourism supply.

TAK would like to express its appreciation to Air Kiribati Ltd, the Marine Guard Division, the Immigration Department, Te Umwanibong Cultural Museum, the Kiribati Customs Authority, the Shipping Agencies of Kiribati (SAOK), and local Tourism operators who have been instrumental in gathering and contributing relevant data and insights, making this report a comprehensive and robust assessment of the tourism sector in Kiribati.

Minister of Tourism highlights historical tourism potentials during the 132nd Anniversary of Union Jack in North Tarawa.

July 2, 2024July 2, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Minister for Tourism, Commerce Industry and Tourism (MTCIC), Honorable Booti Nauan led the Government team to commemorate the 132nd Anniversary of the hoisting of the Union Jack at Taratai Village on North Tarawa. The team was comprised of Government officials from MTCIC, Office of Te Beretitenti (OB) and the Ministry of Culture, and Internal Affairs (MCIA).

Each year on 8th of June, the people of Taratai honour their forefathers and commemorate the end of an intense traditional warfare in Kiribati and celebrate the signing of peace when Captain Davis established a protectorate Government and hoisted a Union Jack on Taratai Village in 1892.

In the Minister’s statement, he encouraged the people of Taratai village to continue to take pride and ownership and maintain the celebrations of this auspicious event. Mr Nauan also added, that this is a rich part of their history and culture and should be maintained for many generations to enjoy. It has great potentials to boost historical tourism that the Government of Kiribati through the Tourism Authority of Kiribati is committed to support.

The celebration was a lively one with march parades, hoisting of the Kiribati and England flag in the field followed by entertainment and feasting in the Maneaba. The one-day celebration was also joined by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners and their team, North Tarawa Island Council Mayor and Clerk, Church pastors and catechists, former MPs, teachers and friends of Taratai village as guests to the event.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati partners with Nauru Tourism on sustainable travel, destination marketing and exchange programs.

July 2, 2024July 2, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Minister of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives affirms a partnership for Sustainable Tourism Development with Nauru Tourism during its meeting at the Consulate General office of Republic of Nauru in Brisbane on 31st May 2024.

The partnership meeting took place with the Consul General, Tourism Attache and Nauru Advisor at their Brisbane office. The meeting was in line with a partnership opportunity with the esteemed Governments to bolster the tourism industries in both Nauru and Kiribati and capitalizing on the existing Nauru Airlines fleet from Brisbane, Nauru, Tarawa as well as Kiritimati.

Both the countries believe that there are still so much untapped tourism potentials and have great opportunity to broaden the leisure adventure travellers seeking new destinations targeting the Australian market. At the moment, there is very little visitor travel for leisure using such route. Through collaborative efforts, Kiribati and Nauru through their respected Tourism Authorities, has potential in increasing sustainable travel to focus on niche attractions that it offers through joint marketing campaigns and exchange programs.

The only way this will work is through strong brotherhood partnership, the Honorable Minister Nauan says.

The meeting was facilitated in collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Kiribati and Nauru Tourism since the beginning of the year. It forms part of the Joint Micronesian Island hop Marketing Campaign with Nauru Airlines and supported by the Pacific Trade and Invest.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati support ‘Ara Tanobakoa’ Beach Clean-Up Campaign

July 4, 2024July 2, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati has been participating in *Ara Tanobakoa” beach clean-up campaign initiated by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development (MFMRD).

“Ara Tanobakoa” beach clean-up campaign is an ongoing clean-up campaign surrounding the MFMRD’s Eco-farm site at the Bonriki Ananau Causeway with an objective of transforming and beautifying the site to support an upcoming infrastructure project to develop a Marina in the area. This beautification initiative will give visitors a positive impression of Tarawa the capital and Kiribati as they start their exploration of the island beginning from Bonriki International Airport.

Team TAK continues to support this initiative aligning it to the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Policy which supports the key Goal 1 “Tourism will conserve the natural environment”

TAK joins the Kiribati Delegation to the 13th FESTPAC 2024

July 4, 2024July 1, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in the FESTPAC 2024 (Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture) held in Honolulu, Hawaii from the 6th to 16th June. TAK was part of Kiribati delegation to the FESTPAC 2024 comprised of local weavers, dance performers, handicraft vendors, composers, local designers, and artists who attended the vibrant celebration along with their brothers and sisters from other Pacific Island nations to share their unique cultural heritage and artistic expression.

Representing one of the smallest nations in the Pacific, the Kiribati delegation brought a rich tapestry of traditional dances, music, crafts, and storytelling to the festival. Their performances captivated audiences, showcasing the resilience and deep-rooted cultural pride of the Kiribati people.

Throughout the event, the Kiribati delegation actively engaged with participants from other Pacific nations, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding. They shared their traditional knowledge and practices, highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous cultures in a globalized world.

Beyond performances, the Kiribati delegation’s presence at Festpac 2024 underscored their commitment to cultural preservation and sustainability. Discussions and workshops focused on environmental challenges facing Kiribati and other Pacific Island nations, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.

Overall, the Kiribati delegation’s participation in Festpac 2024 was a testament to their cultural vitality and their role in the broader Pacific community. It reinforced the importance of cultural diversity and collaboration in celebrating and safeguarding the unique identities of Pacific Island nations. The delegation also used this festival to connect, learn and share with other participating Pacific artists, as a way to promote cultural tourism.

The ‘Mauri Way’ Tourism & Hospitality Customer Service Training Program rolls out in North Tarawa

July 1, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has completed delivering a four-day Tourism & Hospitality Mauri Way Customer Service Training Program to local tourism operators in North Tarawa. The training was held from Wednesday 12th to Saturday 15th June 2024 at Moturerei Motel Maneaba in Abaokoro, North Tarawa.

The Mauri Way is a Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Customer Service training program designed to educate our local operators in ways to share our culture with visitors and deliver a memorable and exceptional visitor experience, the Kiribati way.

This new program aims to empower local representatives from accommodation providers and communities with valuable insights and knowledge to enhance customer service to a national level, creating a memorable visitor experience.
Mauri Way Customer Service training program was covered with Seven modules including:

• Module 1: Introduction/Overview of Te Mauri Way
• Module 2: First Impression
• Module 3: Types of Travellers and Cultural Awareness
• Module 4: Anticipating Travellers Needs and Wants
• Module 5: Problem-Solving, Complaint Handling and Conflict Management
• Module 6: Customer Service
• Module 7: Bring it all Together.

As part of this training, participants engaged in various activities led by the trainers, including role-play demonstrations, group presentations, and Q&A sessions. The training was conducted by two tourism officers, Ms. Monika Rikita and Ms. Tie Manuera, an Acting Assistant Tourism Officer.

Sixteen participants from various local tourism operators attended the newly introduced Mauri Way training. These participants represented Buariki Paradise Resort, Tarabuka Hideaway Lodge, Moturerei Motel, Oceanview Motel, and Eutan Tarawaieta Council.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati continues to acknowledge the Pacer Plus Implementation Unit for financing this program and for the Ministry of Tourism Commerce Industry and Cooperatives for smooth support and facilitation during the delivery of the new national Tourism & Hospitality Mauri Way Customer Service training program.

Kiribati Draws Closer to a New Destination Brand

July 4, 2024July 1, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is making significant progress towards unveiling a new destination brand for Kiribati. This development follows the successful Branding Validation Workshop held on June 20, 2024, at the Marine Training Center (MTC) in South Tarawa. The workshop coincided with the visit of branding consultant Mr. Carl Solomon from the Destination Marketing Store (DMS) in Australia. Mr. Solomon conducted the workshop to share the results of his consultation in South Tarawa, which took place in March 2024.

Mr. Solomon was referred to TAK by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), a regional technical assistance program partnered with the governments of Australia and New Zealand, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The PSDI is funding the project to assist TAK in developing a new destination brand for Kiribati.

The primary goal of the rebranding initiative is to create a refreshed brand that aligns with the values of the Kiribati community and key policies and strategies, such as the Kiribati Vision 20 (KV20), the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Policy (KSTP), and TAK’s Strategic Plan.

Mr. Solomon emphasized that the new brand would center around the Local Hero archetype, highlighting the ‘I-Kiribati’ culture, heritage, and community. He noted that the brand will be shaped by the people of Kiribati, reflecting how they wish to present their destination brand to the world. The aim is to capture their passion for their homeland and culture while delivering unique visitor experiences that attract high-yield, low-impact tourism. This brand approach promotes sustainable tourism development, balancing cultural preservation, environmental protection, and economic growth.

The Branding Validation Workshop on June 20th brought together representatives from the local tourism industry, NGOs, and government agencies. Mr. Solomon presented the Kiribati New Brand Strategy and visual brand identity concepts, inspired by the Local Hero archetype. Despite the progress made during the workshop, TAK recognizes that further work is needed to finalize the brand, with the official launch planned soon this year, 2024.

Abemama Island revisited to re-engage Community-Based Tourism Operators.

June 4, 2024June 3, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

After launching Abemama as a tourism-ready island in 2022, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has revisited the island to support and evaluate tourism operators as part of its sustainability plan. TAK conducted a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) assessment from May 10th to 19th, focusing on Community-Based Tourism (CBT) operators.

This initial M&E mission aimed to ensure ongoing engagement with CBT operators, maintaining strong partnerships and successful tourism operations. During the visit, Ms. Kiarake Karuaki introduced the concept of homestay development to CBT operators. She emphasized how homestays can complement existing tour programs, highlighting the potential for tourism to grow and benefit the community. Homestays, being a popular trend in the travel industry, offer authentic experiences that can enhance the appeal of Abemama.

As part of the mission, TAK established the Abemama Tourism Working Group Committee. This committee includes representatives from tour operators, accommodation providers, and the island council. Its purpose is to oversee tourism operations, address challenges, and ensure smooth and effective management. The executive body of the committee will play a crucial role in coordinating efforts and supporting the tourism sector on the island.
The M&E mission reflects TAK’s ongoing commitment to supporting CBT operators. By continuously monitoring and evaluating tourism operations, TAK aims to strengthen partnerships and ensure sustainable tourism development on Abemama.

Tourism Authority Kiribati