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TAK attends the Pacific Tourism Organization’s Research Symposium

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Two officers from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in a significant Research Symposium, held in Nadi, Fiji at the Novotel Hotel and Tanoa Hotel from April 29th to May 2nd, 2024. The Symposium was hosted by the Tourism regional body the Pacific Tourism Organisation also known as the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO).
The workshop proved to be an invaluable opportunity for professional development in the field of tourism analysis. The symposium covered essential topics, including research design fundamentals, various research methodologies, survey design principles, basic skills in SPSS software and Monitoring and Evaluation learning components. These components were essential for enhancing the skills of tourism participants in tourism research.

Throughout the symposium, participants engaged in an interactive sessions and practical activities aimed at deepening their understanding on research analysis.

The workshop allows attendees to exchange insights and experiences with fellow professionals from the region. Moreover, the event facilitated networking opportunities, enabling the Research and Statistics Tourism Officer to establish valuable connections within the tourism industry. As a result, the symposium not only enhanced individual competencies but also contributed to the collective effort towards fostering sustainable tourism development in the Pacific region.

TAK’s Mauri Way Hospitality & Customer Service Training Program Rolls out in Tarawa

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has initially rolled out its new Hospitality & Customer Service training program, ‘Mauri Way’. This new tourism training program commenced on Tuesday, May 14th to Friday, 17th 2024, at St. Joseph Parish Hall in Bikenibeu in South Tarawa’s capital and was attended by local tourism operators from South Tarawa and 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.

Introducing the Mauri Way Tourism & Hospitality Customer Service training program was therefore aimed at empowering all local tourism operators in Kiribati with valuable insights and knowledge to boost their customer service to a national level and enhance visitors’ experiences.

TAK has already completed two rounds of Mauri Way training. The first cohort consisted of operators from North Tarawa, and the second cohort was held from May 21st to 24th, 2024, with local operators from South Tarawa at the Youth for Christian Living (YCL) Conference room in Antebuka in South Tarawa.

The training covered seven modules, which include:
Module 1: Introduction to 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: Bringing it all together.
The training was conducted by two Tourism Officers, Senior Tourism Officer Ms. Ereata Benson, and Tourism Officer Ms. Monika Rikita.

A total of 25 participants from various tourism operators attended the training, with 8 joining the first session and the remaining 17 participating in the second session.
The Tourism Authority of Kiribati acknowledges the Pacer Plus Implementation Unit for funding this training program and the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives for their support and facilitation during the delivery of this new national hospitality & customer service training program

Tourism Authority of Kiribati Showcases ‘Come Visit Kiribati’ at South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2024

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is happy to announce that its Tourism Marketing team has just returned from participating at the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2024 (SPTE2024) that took place on the 4th-5th May at Denarau, Sheraton Resort in Nadi, Fiji.

The SPTE2024 is a prestigious tourism trade meeting event (B2B) held annually and is organized by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) to present a cost-effective platform for its Pacific Island partners to travel from all corners of the Pacific to meet at one location to exchange their exciting tourism products with international buyers from across the globe who are made up of international travel agents and tour operators who are also seeking and exploring new travel holiday products to promote with their clients in their foreign countries.

The Senior Marketing Officer from TAK, Mr. George Kum Kee indicated that at SPTE2024 the TAK Marketing team engaged with 59 travel industry professionals, tour operators, and media representatives to promote the country’s unique tourism offerings. The trade networking was held in 15-minute meeting intervals which were considerably very brief meeting encounters, however, most of the work will come after the SPTE event with a series of follow-throughs to provide the buyers with a Kiribati tourism destination information e-kit. The officer added that through networking events, business appointments, and destination presentations, Kiribati aims to increase awareness of its tourism potential and attract more visitors to its shores.

George emphasized that Kiribati’s presence at this prestigious event underscores its commitment to fostering sustainable tourism growth and highlighting the promotion Kiribati’s niche tourism attractions. He added that, apart from the natural beauty of Sun, Sea & Sand that we all share similarly with our neighboring Pacific Islands, Kiribati participated in promoting its niche tourism experiences such as authentic cultural experiences through cultural community-based tourism activities, world-class fishing in Kiritimati Island, Scuba diving in Kiritimati Island, Birdwatching & wildlife tourism, and surfing Kiritimati & Fanning Island. The team shared the notion with the buyers that tourism in Kiribati is for specific travellers seeking off-the-beat & path adventure and authentic experiences like cultural encounters and experiencing aquatic marine activities. TAK therefore looks to forge new partnerships after this SPTE and looks forward to welcoming more visitors to Kiribati.

With its participation in the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2024, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati aims to position the country as a must-visit destination in the South Pacific, inviting travellers to discover the magic of Kiribati’s islands and create lifelong memorable experiences.

Empowering Tourism in Kiribati: A Transition in Operational License Collection

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The Consultation Team, comprised of representatives from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives ( MTCIC) commenced its consultation with Local government Island Councils on April 5th, 2024. The purpose of this consultation was to inform the Island Councils of the transition in the collection of tourism operational licenses from island councils to the Tourism Authority of Kiribati, commencing early next year, 2025. These tourism operational licenses are currently managed by the island councils under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, under the Tourism Act 2018, the TAK has been mandated to collect these licenses from the accommodation providers. So for this year 2024, all Tourism operators are still required to pay their licenses to their respective councils prior this transition commencing early next year.

The first island council that was visited recently for the consultation with the TAK Team was Eutan Tarawa Council given its proximity to the Capital South Tarawa and has the highest number of commercial accommodations compared to other island councils of Kiribati. TAK team expressed its gratitude to the councillors for voicing their concerns and took the opportunity to provide clarity on the necessity of collecting operational licenses for accommodation from the island councils.

The rationale behind this initiative includes:

1. Marketing Fund Allocation: The funds collected through these licenses from accommodations will contribute to a Marketing Fund. This fund will be reinvested to benefit accommodation owners by facilitating marketing and promotional activities aimed at showcasing their establishments and services to international markets.

2. Service Enhancement: Additionally, the marketing fund will support tourism operators in improving their services, specifically, it will enable the provision of essential training programs, such as those focusing on hospitality and customer service provided by the Tourism Authority (TAK). These trainings aim to elevate the standards in existing guesthouses thereby minimizing potential complaints from guests and enhancing guest experiences. These are some of the key reasons elaborated by the Standards and Licensing Manager- Mr Iataake King

With all clarifications and deliberations made, the Mayor on behalf of the full council members gave a final remark or decision that Eutan Tarawa Council is supporting this plan and willing to work with TAK in this undertaking. The meeting ended with positive feedback from the full council members. The next consultation will be TAK team visiting Betio Town Council before continuing with the rest of the island councils of the outer-islands. This transition signifies a significant step towards streamlining tourism operations in Kiribati ensuring a more efficient and effective management system for operational licenses. By centralizing the collection of operational licenses, the TAK aims to empower local accommodation and tour operators, enhance service standards, and ultimately boost tourism in Kiribati.

Religious Visitors Emerging as a New Market Segment for Kiribati

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During the last quarter of 2023, Kiribati experienced a significant change in its visitor patterns, particularly in the duration of stays. Religious visitors, in contrast to corporate and leisure groups, extended their visits, averaging 20.7 nights—making them the longest-staying group in quarter 4. Religious visitors comprise a specific market segment within tourism that focuses on individuals traveling for religious purposes.

This shift contrasts with previous trends where corporate and leisure visitors tended to stay longer than religious travellers. In quarter 3 of 2023, for instance, corporate visitors spent an average of 14.6 nights, leisure groups stayed 9 nights, while religious visitors stayed only 7 nights.

This trend indicates a growing preference among religious visitors for Kiribati, possibly due to the unique appeal or significance they find in the destination. Their prolonged stays not only demonstrate a deeper connection with the local communities and their religious practices but also positively impact the tourism economy, fostering longer-lasting relationships and opportunities for cultural exchanges.

Acknowledging the importance of religious tourism and its economic impact, stakeholders are encouraged to adjust their strategies accordingly. By catering to the specific needs and preferences of religious travelers, the overall tourism experience can be enhanced significantly. Embracing this trend also opens doors for collaboration with religious institutions and community groups, promoting sustainable tourism practices and preserving the cultural heritage of Kiribati for future generations.

Butaritari Island Further Embraces Opportunity for Community-Based Tourism Development

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) embarked on a visit to Butaritari Island from the 17th to the 24th to foster the development of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Business Plans as part of the tourism product enhancement initiative. Ms. Kiarake Karuaki, an officer specializing in Tourism Product Development and Investment Promotion of TAK, has collaborated with Butaritari villages and communities, aided by the Butaritari Island Council, to shape their tourism offerings.

The consultation for developing Business Plans with CBT operators aims to formalize their activities into small to medium enterprises. These plans will empower communities to navigate the business landscape effectively, including accessing funding or loans for expansion and attracting investment. By establishing a comprehensive business plan, CBTs gain a structured framework for managing and assessing their business performance, aligning with their objectives over time.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati will present these business plans to the CBTs as a mark of recognition, certifying them as CBT operators under its auspices.

Q4 Tourism Review 2023

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati has released its Quarter 4 2023 Tourism Industry Review. The reports focus on international arrivals, domestic tourism data, and other tourism-relevant data. It compares the Q4 international visitor arrivals with Q4 2019, showing the progress after the covid19.

When comparing the Q4 2019 and Q4 2023 visitor arrivals, Kiribati has received an increase in the number of visitors visiting Kiribati, an increase of 20%, due to the frequent flight to Tarawa. This has indicated a steady influx into Kiribati, however, in this quarter a drop in the number of visitors experienced, a drop of 12% when comparing it with Q3 2023.

The top source markets for this quarter were Pacific islanders 31% (721) followed by Australia 14% (329) and USA 13% (290). A new emerging market for this quarter was Other Asian countries with 9% (206) visitors.

Most visitors to Kiribati came for both business and pleasure, with Pacific nationals primarily visiting for work, while visitors from the USA and New Zealand topped the list for leisure purposes.

The report also highlights the trends in the tourism supply, domestic tourism travel, and museum visitation data to name a few which contribute to enhancing the understanding of the tourism current status.

An interesting and most captivating change in visitor trends in Q4 2023 was an increase in the average length of stay for religious visitors when compared to previous quarters. These religious visitors spend 20.7 nights which is higher than the night spend by visitors who came for other purpose of visits.

TAK would like to express its appreciation to Air Kiribati Limited, Marine Guard Division, Immigration Department, Te Umwanibong, Kiribati Customs Office, Shipping Agencies of Kiribati (SAOK), Kiribati National Statistics Office (KNSO) and Tourism operators. Their collaboration and support have been instrumental in gathering relevant data and insights, making this report a comprehensive and robust assessment of the tourism sector in Kiribati.

TAK participates in Pacific Tourism Organization’s events.

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati team attended a weeklong event organized by the Pacific Tourism Organization which took place in Nadi, Fiji from 29th April to 5th May 2024. These events ranged from Tourism research symposium, digital marketing workshop, Sustainable Tourism regional consultations, marketing managers meeting, the SPTO Board of Directors meeting and the 2 day South Pacific Tourism Exchange.

At the Sustainable Regional Consultation workshop, held at Tokatoka Resort, TAK was invited to present on its Mauri Mark Accommodation Standards program as part of the discussions on Pacific Sustainable Tourism standards.

Ko rabwa Pacific Tourism Organization and the sponsors for this successful eventful week of knowledge sharing, increased learning opportunity, regional collaboration, and wonderful networking opportunities.

TAK Presents Sustainable Tourism Initiatives at Blue Economies Workshop.

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The Acting CEO of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati Ms. Reeti Onorio had the opportunity to present on Sustainable Tourism as part of the International Workshop on Sustainable Blue Economies in Pacific Islands and Territories. The Workshop was held at a Convention Hall of the Hyatt Regency Guam from 20 – 21 March 2024 and was followed by a field visit on 22 March 2024 which was attended by participants representing various sectors from the Southern and Northern Pacific region as well as Forum Secretariat’s CROP agencies.

The sustainable blue economies encompass a wide range of sectors including not only fisheries, aquaculture, and marine conservation, but also marine pollution control, renewable energy, sustainable tourism, blue financing, leadership, and human resource development. The invited participants had the opportunity to share updates from their respective sectors on these themes and their latest progress and assessment concerning sustainable blue economies in the Pacific.

TAK had the privilege of sharing Kiribati’s actions on its recently launched Sustainable Tourism policy and Action Plan providing examples of sustainable tourism activities in line with marine ecosystem conservation such as flyfishing in Kiritimati Christmas Island and Community Based Tourism in line with Marine Protected Areas in the Kiribati outer islands.

The Workshop was hosted by the Centre for Island Sustainability, University of Guam (CIS-UoG) and co-organized by the CIS-UoG and the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF) with the support of the Centre for Pacific Islands Studies of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and the East-West Centre.

The outcome of the Workshop will be shared appropriately at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States to be held in May 2024 whilst its 2nd preparatory committee meeting is to be held in April 2024 along with other relevant international meetings.

TAK participates in Coastal Fisheries Summit in Kiritimati 2024

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati participated in a 3-day Coastal Fisheries Summit from the 26th to the 28th of March, held at the KPF conference room in Kiritimati Island, with the theme, ‘collaborative efforts to move from words into actions in achieving sustainable fishery for all I-Kiribati.’

The summit was sponsored and funded by the Tobwaan Waara Project – New Zealand High Commission to Kiribati and the Pacific Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP) Kiribati Project – World Bank Project. Attendees of the Summit included mayors, clerks, fisheries officials from Kiritimati, Tabuaeran, and Teraina, along with marine-related business operators and relevant government agencies such as the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) based in Kiritimati Island.

The Summit also provided opportunities for tourism-related issues to be presented and discussed. The issues included the crowded flat, chumming of giant trevallies, and Paris marine protected area. Christmas Island Outfitters, a fly-fishing tour operation, voiced out concerns and matters affecting the fly-fishing business in Kiritimati. TAK presented on the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Policy and the overview of tourism in the Line & Phoenix islands.

The Summit ended with a draft ‘way forward’ or work plan drawn by the participants as an outcome of this important 3-day collaborative Summit.”

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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