Accommodation – Kaongora Newsletter

Empowering Tourism in Kiribati: A Transition in Operational License Collection

May 14, 2024 by Taare Rikiai

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.

Tourism Business Inventory and Outer Island Perception Surveys in Abaiang

October 2, 2023October 2, 2023 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati conducted two Tourism Surveys which are the Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) and the Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPs) on Abaiang from 12 – 17 September 2023.

The Tourism Business Inventory Survey is part of TAK’s yearly program to update information from accommodation providers including number of beds available, staff training needs, accommodation services, facilities, and contact information to be updated on TAK’s information platforms.

The Outer Island Perception Survey is a comprehensive effort to assess locals and to seek their perception on how tourism has influenced the lives and well-being of their community environmentally, economically, and socio-culturally. The survey was conducted among 10% of the total households on the island. Insights collected from this survey will not only help in crafting sustainable tourism policies but also ensures that tourism development are aligns with the community’s interests and values.

TAK would like to acknowledge the generous support from the Cultural Vistas small grant that made the successful execution of the survey. Cultural Vistas is an organization based in Washington DC, USA that committed to fostering cultural exchange and understanding between USA and the Pacific Island Nations that organized the Professional Fellows Program Oceania in June 2023.

The result of the OIPS will be shared once the reports is finalized later this year.

Dive Resort Operator Explores Tourism Prospects in Kiritimati Island

August 11, 2023 by Taare Rikiai

Owners and operators of Beqa Lagoon Resort in Fiji, Mr. Alex Ilnitsky and Mr. Alexander Bryantt completed a week-long expedition to Kiritimati Island, uncovering a range of untapped tourism potential and investment prospects on the island.

Beqa Lagoon Resort, renowned for its exceptional shark feeding tours, catering to international markets, especially the United States of America and Australia aims to expand its operations by delving into the mostly undiscovered charm of Kiritimati Island.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), in a collaborative effort, facilitated engagements between the Beqa Lagoon Resort team and government officials on Kiritimati Island. The program began with visits to earmarked tourism investment sites throughout the island, followed by meetings with the relevant authorities. These included the Ministry of Line & Phoenix Island (MLPID), and representatives from the Environment Conservation Division (ECD) and the Lands Management Division. A meeting was also organised with registered dive tour operator, the Village Hotel.

“Kiritimati Island has the potential to emerge as a premier scuba diving destination because of it undiscovered rich and diverse underwater marine life and close proximity to the United States,” remarked Mr. Ilnitsky during his engagement with The Village Hotel.

Mr. Bryantt was equally enthusiastic highlighting a range of activities that could be offered on Kiritimati Island. “In addition to diving, we envision motorbike adventure tours, particularly utilizing four-wheeled motorbikes in shallower waters. The captivating scenic surround of the island will appeal to travel bloggers seeking captivating content for their videos,” Bryantt elaborated.

Scuba diving, an untapped niche market on Kiritimati Island, holds the promise of becoming a successful segment of its growing tourism landscape.

Tarawa Accommodations Awarded 2023 Mauri Mark Rating

June 29, 2023 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is pleased to announce that most North & South Tarawa Accommodation providers have been awarded Mauri Mark rating following assessments conducted in April and May 2023.

The Mauri Mark rating is a significant indicator of accommodation standards, serving as a trusted reference for travelers when making their booking decisions. It provides valuable insights into the quality and range of services offered, ensuring guests have a clear understanding of what to expect during their stay.

All North and South Tarawa accommodation providers underwent comprehensive evaluation across various criteria to secure their Mauri Mark Coconut rating. The assessment process covered crucial aspects such as Business Operations, Room Facilities, Fire Safety, Health and Hygiene, Support Services, and Sustainability. These parameters were examined to ensure that each rated accommodation provider meets or exceeds industry standards in each category.

The achievement of the Mauri Mark rating for most North and South Tarawa accommodation reflects Kiribati’s dedication to providing an exceptional guest experience albeit their slow recovery post COVID-19.

TAK is confident that amidst these challenging recovery phase, accommodation provider’s adherence to the standards of business operations, room facilities, fire safety measures, health, and hygiene protocols, support services, and commitment to sustainability is an indication of their commitment to raising visitor experience in Kiribati.

TAK will conduct the Mauri Mark Assessment in Kiritimati and the outer islands of the Gilber and Line Islands in the coming months.

Kiritimati Island Refresher for COVID-19 Safety Protocols

August 1, 2022July 29, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) began its Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal refresher training for all tourism operators on Kiritimati Island starting from 14 July 2022.

The purpose of this refresher training is to ensure skills and knowledge learned during the initial training are still intact and that operators are well prepared when Kiritimati borders reopen.

Apart from the safety protocols training conducted, TAK also shared with participants a formula provided by the Ministry of Health and Medical Service on making sanitizers using bleach and water as a substitute in case the original sanitizer is out of stock on the island.

The first few operators who have received the refresher training have shown great results and TAK has no doubt that all tourism operators in Kiritimati Island will be ready when borders are finally open in August.

Kiritimati Hotels awards Mauri Mark ratings

June 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) as part of its Tourism Restart Program completed the Mauri Mark assessment for Kiritimati Island accommodation providers.

The Mauri Mark program which was re-launched in 2021 involves the assessment of licensed accommodation providers for business operations, fire safety procedures, health & safety hygiene standards, facilities including in-room facilities, environmental sustainability practices and guest support services.

Properties awarded with Mauri Mark rating standards include Ikari House, The Village hotel, Inn Pacific, and Sunset Horizon Fishing.

The Mauri Mark ratings offer travellers an indication of the standards and services they can expect from a Kiritimati hotel when booking their accommodation on the island.

TAK is working with other accommodation providers on the island to conduct their Maur Mark assessment prior to border reopening on 01 August 2022.

The Mauri Mark program is an annual tourism operator’s standards accreditation rating program and assessments will be carried out on an annual basis.

Preparatory work on Safe Tourism Restart continues

May 11, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a two-days training on Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal to staffs of the George Hotel, Betio on 03 – 04 May 2022.

This training is a follow up to the first round of COVID-19 tourism protocol trainings delivered to South Tarawa tourism operators in June 2021 and is based on the recommendations of the protocol compliance monitoring and evaluation assessment carried out in January 2022 .

The George Hotel session covered all aspect of the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols to the New Normal and these include COVID-19 safety protocols for transport, hotel & accommodation, restaurant & bars, employees’ safety, and waste disposal.

TAK believes that the training would prepare tourism services operators such as the George Hotel for a safe international border reopening to Kiribati.

TAK will continue to deliver COVID-19 protocol training for tourism sector partners across the destination with the goal of achieving a 100% compliance to the protocols. This is part of the Authority’s preparation for a safe, smart, and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

Mauri Mark Accreditation Assessment continues

April 29, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) continued the roll out of the Mauri Mark Program with the assessment of accommodation operators in North Tarawa and Abaiang earlier in month.

The Mauri Mark Program is Kiribati’s National Tourism Standards Programme for accommodation and tourism enterprises including restaurants and bars, tourism leisure crafts, dive operators.

The Mauri Mark program for accommodation providers uses a points system to accesses each establishment on its hospitality business operations, fire safety measures, health and hygiene, room facilities, support services and sustainability practices.

Once assessed, properties are then awarded coconut ratings of between 1 to 3plus coconuts, with 3plus rating reserved for hotels that score 95% and above.

North Tarawa hotels and resorts assessed in this round of Mauri Mark assessments included Nemat resort, Tarabuka hideaway, Ocean view hotel, Bikenaraara resort, Tabuki retreat, Tabontekeekee eco-lodge, and Kelani lodge.

On the island of Abaiang, accommodation providers assessed were the Ocean breeze bungalow, Terau beach bungalow, Te runga n aine guesthouse and the KiriSwiss homestay.

TAK is finalising the assessments results and ratings will be advised to them in May 2022.

The Mauri Mark program is part of TAK Tourism Restart Program which aims to prepare the destination for a Safe, Smart and Sustainable Restart to Tourism once its international borders reopen.

COVID-19 Protocol Monitoring and Evaluation Assessment in Kiritimati

March 30, 2022March 30, 2022 by Sarah Teetu Reymond

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati conducted a Covid-19 Protocol Monitoring and Evaluation assessment to tourism accommodation providers on the island of Kiritimati.

TAK consulted with tourism operations that are still in operation such as the Sunset Horizon Fishing Lodge, Ikari House, Dive and Fishing Adventure Lodge and The Villages Hotel to carry out the monitoring and evaluation. This type of assessment observes how the various hotel workers put to practice the Tourism Hospitality Covid Protocol which they have been trained and certified on since the end of 2021. TAK also used the opportunity to collect data on the PPEs available as part of the assessment.

TAK encouraged accommodation providers in Kiritimati Island to be consistent in their application of these important tourism protocol in their respective operations so that it ensures safety of visitors and hosts when the Kiritimati border opens.

Tourism Business Inventory Survey

March 1, 2021February 26, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted Tourism Business Inventory Surveys in Kiritimati and South Tarawa in February.

This is part of TAK’s yearly program to update information from accommodation providers including number of beds available, staff training needs, accommodation services, facilities and contact information to be updated on TAK’s information platforms.

New information gathered will help build a stronger destination portfolio of updated information for tourism operators in Kiribati, particularly now as TAK works towards safely restarting international tourism once borders reopen.

Tourism Business Inventory Surveys will be continuing in Abemama and the rest of the Gilbert group in March and April 2021.

Tourism Authority Kiribati