Awareness – Page 4 – Kaongora Newsletter

Community tourism consultation

February 3, 2021January 29, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a one-week tourism awareness and community consultation as part of its product development and enhancement program in North Tarawa from 21– 28 January 2021.

The purpose of the consultation was to assist the villages better understand tourism, its economic potential,, and how they can engage in the industry through creative business alternatives that will support their livelihood.

The team visited 11 villages of Buariki, Tearinibai, Nuatabu, Taratai, Nooto, Abaokoro, Marenanuka, Tabonibara, Kainaba, Nabeina and Tabiteuea.

During the consultation, the villages were provided with information on how small-scale eco-tourism businesses work, their economic and socio-cultural benefits, and its contribution to environmental conservation. The villages were also encouraged to be part of the important local tourism supply chain network.

The consultations included a video presentation of the pilot Reina community based cultural tour project to help the villages better grasp the idea of sustainable community-based tourism and how they can apply that in their local setting.

Feedback from the consultations was positive and TAK will return to North Tarawa to work with interested villages and assist them in developing their own unique eco-tourism programs.

Kiribati Extends Border Closure to End of February 2021

February 3, 2021January 13, 2021 by George Kumkee

The Government of Kiribati has officially declared a further extension of its border closure in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Government advises that this extension will remain effective until the end of February 2021 where it will be further reviewed. Special approval is required for humanitarian flights to transport essential equipment, medical supplies, and medevac operations.

In addition, Kiribati nationals travelling back on government arranged repatriation flights can enter Kiribati. A Repatriation Taskforce setup by Cabinet has been planning recent repatriation exercises to bring back all I-Kiribati stranded overseas since November last year.

The Taskforce is currently working with partners and neighbouring countries to repatriate remaining stranded nationals and Seafarers who have been affected by the border closures as a result of the pandemic.

The undertaking is being conducted in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures that seek to safeguard the public from the potential entry and transmission of COVID-19. All repatriated nationals would be required to undergo mandatory quarantine at a Government-designated facility on South Tarawa.
Throughout the repatriation period, Kiribati borders will remain closed to foreign nationals unless specific directions are given to enable critical and lifesaving operations and activities in Kiribati. During the border closure, the provision of medical supplies and cargoes will continue under the established COVID-19 safety procedures and protocols to ensure necessary support to strengthen the national health system and to support the needs of the people.

The Government continues to appeal to the general public and Kiribati’s development partners for their continued cooperation, support and understanding to ensure the necessary arrangements are strictly followed so that risks are managed and the health safety of all is not compromised. (source: Office of Te Beretitenti)

Kiritimati Celebrates World Food Day

December 29, 2020 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati TAK) in Kiritimati Island participated in World Food Day celebration from 30th November to 04th December 2020. This program was organized by the Agriculture Division of the Ministry of Environment, Land and Agricultural Development (MELAD).

This year’s World Food Day was commemorated through a roadshow awareness program to London, Tabakea and Banana, a cleanathon, and household cleaning and gardening competition. Activities were drawn from World Food Day theme of “Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together, Our Actions are our Future”.

The World Food Day celebrations concluded on 04th December with a fruits and vegetable farming competitions between communities and farmers. Participants were judged on the size and weight of their produce. There was also a gardening competition which was judged based on the beauty, diversity and range, health, planning and designed, and creativity.

The celebration was attended by OIC for MLPID, Lordship Mayor from the Kiritimati Urban Council and his team, Government Head of Divisions, Communities, farmers and staff of the Ministry of Environment, Lands & Agricultural Development.

TAK Celebrates World Food Day

November 30, 2020 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in World Food Day Celebration on Nonouti Island on 04 – 18 November 2020. This program was organized by LDCF project in collaboration with its key stakeholders.

World Food Day is celebrated annually and this year, LDCF team commemorated it through community consultation and awareness, with its main purpose of encouraging all locals to conserve, preserve and sustain the use of their land and marine resources, against the impact of climate change.

Whilst in Nonouti, TAK conducted school awareness program to all primary schools, and a Tourism Business Inventory Survey at the Nonouti Island Council Guest House.

This program was supported by the Kiribati 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.

77th ANNIVERSARY – BATTLE OF TARAWA & MAKIN

November 19, 2020November 19, 2020 by George Kumkee

20 November 2020

77 years ago, today, the US Marines began two separate attack operations on the Japanese on the islands of Makin (Butaritari) and Tarawa in Kiribati known as “Operation Galvanic”. These lasted between 20 – 23 November 1943.

To commemorate the 77th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific Theatre of WWII, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is releasing a series of videos and personal interviews and accounts of I-Kiribati survivors of the 1943 battles of Tarawa and Makin.

Produced locally, the videos share very personal stories of trauma and survival by Ikiribati elders who witnessed the atrocities of the war firsthand as children.

TAK Head of Marketing, Ms. Sarah Teetu says that “the stories of the battle of Tarawa and Makin hold significant place in Kiribati’s history and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati will share this part of the destination’s history through the niche battlefield tourism market”.

Teetu adds that remnants of World War 2 are still visible throughout Kiribati today for battlefield travellers to visit and these include coastal guns, bunkers, and other artilleries.

Through its Reset Kiribati program, TAK has embarked on an effort to preserve war relics and promote battlefield tours to Kiribati.

MAURI EXPERIENCE – SUPPORT LOCAL

November 19, 2020November 19, 2020 by George Kumkee

19 November 2020

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) and Kiribati tourism business operators today launched the Mauri Experience – Support Local campaign, an initiative targeted to help promote tourism businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the international border closure in late March 2020, Kiribati tourism business operators have been negatively impacted due to the drop of international visitors. This has seen some operators suspending or minimising their offers to suit the low demand in their services.

More than 6 months on and with no confirmed end in sight for this global pandemic, TAK will through this campaign will promote special hotel, restaurant and activity deals and packages available from tourism businesses across Kiribati.

TAK Head of Marketing, Ms. Sarah Teetu shares that “Mauri Experience is a call to the local market to explore the diverse tourist experiences available across the Gilbert and Line Islands”. She added that the campaign is an invitation to travel and support domestic tourism and the Mauri Experience deals will include discounted accommodation rates, special menu deals, happy hour prices, special outer island boat transfer rates and many more.

The campaign will be run via a numerous channel including social media, electronic direct mails, newspaper advertisements, mobile SMS texts, radio, and television. This includes a Mauri Experience Facebook page where deals and special offers will be regularly updated.

Cultural Rehabilitation in Nonouti

September 29, 2020 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati teamed up with the Culture Museum Division (CMD) to conduct a cultural rehabilitation program on Nonouti Island from the 25 August to 02 September 2020.

The program included the filming of traditional skills specifically on the preservation of culinary techniques along with traditional fishing skills, the monitoring farming practices of local produce such as breadfruits, pandanus, coconuts to name a few together with monitoring the progress of resilient crop varieties planted during previous visits and consulting the local communities on the beautification and historical cultural sites that could serve as potential tourist attractions.

Additionally, TAK also had the opportunity to raise awareness on the economic, social, and cultural importance of developing a cultural tour package for Nonouti.

The integration of local knowledge and skills with hybrid resilient crop varieties ensure food security by mitigating the impacts of climate change. These practices will also become a tourist attraction to be demonstrated during community tour packages.

Through program, selected communities have expressed their interest in establishing and developing their cultural tour product and package and TAK will assist them through this process.

This activity was 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.

TAK Participates in World Clean Up Day

September 29, 2020 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati participated in a world and International Coastal clean-up day on Friday 18 September 2020. The clean-up, led by the Ministry of Environment, Land and Agricultural Development was a half-day program at Taiwan Park, Betio.

The world clean-up day is celebrated annually around the world and by participating, TAK highlighted the need for Kiribati to be vigilant in its commitment to strengthen the implementation of solid waste management policies currently in place.

TAK took the opportunity by cleaning up and picking up non-degradable wastes at Takoronga Point, where the Japanese WWII relics remain. Other ministries and sector cleaned up at their designated area.

TAK was pleased to have participated in this clean-up event and looking forward to any future event like this one.

Preparation for World Tourism Day 2020

August 27, 2020 by Taare Rikiai

World Tourism Day (WTD) will be celebrated around the world on the 27^th of September 2020.

The theme for this year’s celebration as set by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO) is “Tourism: Building Peace and Fostering Knowledge.” Given that the 27^th September falls on Sunday this year, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) will celebrate World Tourism Day on the 25^th September 2020.

To celebrate this year’s World Tourism Day, TAK is working with the Ministry of Education to host an essay competition for Year 10 students on the topic “How tourism can promote peace and strengthen knowledge of the I-Kiribati people”

Through the assistance of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs, TAK will also organise a practical training on handicraft making with women from various local communities.

TAK welcomes year 10 students and women to participate in this year’s World Tourism Day celebration.

Cultural Rehabilitation and Ecotourism Development in Maiana

July 29, 2020 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati undertook a cultural rehabilitation program and ecotourism development consultation on the island of Maiana from 14 to 28 June 2020.

On the first week, TAK teamed up with a Cultural Museum Division (CMD) team during their village consultations. These consultations aimed at increasing awareness on the significance of maintaining cultural heritage and planting of resilient local food crops to enhance their food security and maintain traditional cuisine and to sustain local knowledge and practices in response to the adverse impacts of climate change.

TAK was involved in the cultural rehabilitation consultations with village elders (unimwane). This was the first ever joint Culture and Tourism mission to help restore and rehabilitate site of cultural significance for tourism purposes as well and for future generations to enjoy. The team had the opportunity to discuss with village decision makers ways in which these important sites were to be preserved or beautified. This joint task was as extension of work done in Abemama and Nonouti.

Whilst in Maiana, the TAK team seized the opportunity to expand its awareness on the importance of Ecotourism and its linkages to cultural heritage, agritourism and other tourism related businesses development. TAK consulted with different villages and their communities to identify potential eco-tourism businesses and conduct SWOT analysis for each village.

The program culminated with a one- day training workshop on how to develop ecotourism packages and tourism itinerary development and planning.

The TAK team is expects to revisit to Maiana to work with communities who have shown interest to commence their eco-tourism business initiatives and to continue its engagement with CMD on beautification of Maiana cultural sites. These activities are to augment strategies against the instabilities of climate change.

This activity was 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.

Tourism Authority Kiribati