Awareness – Page 5 – Kaongora Newsletter

TAK preserves WWll relics

July 28, 2020 by Taare Rikiai

Visitors to Tarawa can enjoy memorable battlefield tourism experiences when international flight resumes following the installation of awareness sign boards at the World War ll (WWII) Relics area at Takoronga point.

The ‘no littering & dumping; no open defecation; no camping; and no alcohol drinking’ sign boards aim to encourage visitors and locals to appreciate and preserve relics and sites at Takoronga which are of historical significance to Kiribati.

Tarawa was the forefront of the Allied forces Pacific campaign during WWII, and it is where the American forces invaded the then Japanese controlled islet of Betio. Known as the Battle of Tarawa, the invasion of Betio, it was one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific in WWII. It was extremely costly in human lives and it was the first initial stage of a great amphibious landing against heavily fortified position on the tiny islet of Betio. The Battle of Tarawa was considered a huge mistake by the U.S Military but they soon realized and learnt that it was a valuable lesson that would help them in their strategic battle plans as they fought their way across the Pacific towards Japan.

The installation of the signage at Takoronga follows the extensive clean-up of the same site undertaken by the Takoronga community in early June 2020 and TAK will complete this with the installation of information kiosks to be mounted at the site in August 2020.

The Government of Kiribati in December 2019 endorsed that TAK take ownership and guardianship of all WWll relics.

KIRITIMATI TOURISM AWARENESS PROGRAM

May 29, 2020 by Taare Rikiai

TAK Kiritimati through support from the Ministry of Line & Phoenix Islands Development conducted its Annual Tourism Awareness Program to all primary schools and Junior Secondary school between 29 April to 15 May 2020.

The main purpose of the awareness was to educate students on the importance and benefits of tourism in Kiritimati. The program targeted year 6 and year 9 students in the 3 primary schools and 1 Junior Secondary School.

The school awareness program coincides with the inclusion of tourism in the year 9 curriculum from 2020 and TAK will continue to look at other creative ways to engage students into thinking more seriously about tourism as a contributor to economic development and social well-being.

TAK will undertake more awareness programs during the upcoming Independence Day celebration and World Tourism Day.

TAK SUPPORTS CLEAN UP PROGRAM

May 28, 2020 by Sarah Teetu Reymond

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) had the privilege to participate in clean-up and tree replanting awareness program on the 21 May 2020.

This was part of the Ministry of Environment, Land and Agricultural Development’s (MELAD) International Biodiversity Day celebrations that included the clean up at the Taiwan Park led by the MELAD Biodiversity team.

The theme of the 2020 International Biodiversity Day was “our solutions are in nature’ and MELAD chose this year’s celebration to focus on raising awareness and appreciation of our natural environment and what we can do as a community to protect it.

TAK agrees that such a program is equally important and relevant to our tourism messaging of a clean and pristine island destination and encourages greater involvement from the wider community.

COVID-19 Impacts Kiribati Tourism

April 1, 2020March 31, 2020 by Sarah Teetu Reymond

The global tourism industry has been one of the most affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic and Kiribati is no exception.

Kiribati’s tourism industry, by regional comparison is small and very niche market driven where fly and bone fishing dominate the market. Annually, the island nation hosts a little over 5,000 international visitors, 21% of whom are from U.S.A, 17% Australia, 9% New Zealand and 22% from other countries including UK and Europe. Tarawa in the Gilbert group and Kiritimati in the Line islands are Kiribati’s main international ports of entry and are serviced Fiji Airways, Our Airline (Tarawa only) and Solomon Airlines (Tarawa only).

Amendments and cancellations to bookings into Kiritimati and Tarawa surfaced when the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) began issuing travel advisories in line with the country’s COVID-19 precautionary measures. By mid-March 2020, total room nights cancellations across Kiribati exceeded 3,500.

The confirmation of Fiji’s first novel coronavirus case on Thursday 19 March 2020 sparked several control measures by the Fijian government including the immediate suspension of services to Tarawa and Kiritimati by Fiji Airways from Nadi effective the very next day. These cancellations coupled with the earlier suspension of the Our Airline service from Nauru and Majuro and Solomon Airlines service a week later means that Kiribati is now literally isolated.

Consultations between the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) and tourism stakeholders in Tarawa and Kiritimati revealed that accommodation providers are operating on shortened staff hours and/or layoffs, limited hotel services and other cost control measures.

Betio Lodge I and Utirerei, two of the larger accommodation providers on Tarawa were the first to succumb to the impact of COVID-19, with both announcing complete closures withing days of each other.

Ms. Agnes Tiaoti, receptionist of Betio Lodge 2 said that the closure of its sister hotel (Betio Lodge 1) meant that staffs will now be absorbed into Betio Lodge 2 on reduced working hours.

Owner and Director of Utirerei Hotel, Taam Kaiteie says that “the safety and wellbeing of our staffs is our priority and with the current situation on coronavirus, precautionary measures should be taken seriously and that is why we see the need to close down for two weeks or until further notice.”

Fema Lodge also recorded drop in bookings and have laid off some of their staff for two weeks and this will be reviewed as situations dictate. Lodge Manager Boaa Fatali added that “the only people we employ now is one receptionist, a housekeeper, a cook, handyman and a watchman. With no customer around we take this as an opportunity to renovate some our rooms.”

The cessation of international flights means that TAK will need to adjust its marketing program and assist operators develop and promote local weekend/retreat packages. The Marketing, Promotions and Communications team of the Authority have begun discussions with interested partners to develop their packages and compliment the local e-marketing campaigns that it will be rolling out.

TAK will use this time to undertake capacity building and training programs beginning with a Digital Tourism Online Workshop facilitated by the Pacific Trade & Invest office, Australia and Fly-Fishing product assessment on the Gilbert group.

The shock that COVID-19 has created on tourism and the global economy is severe. However, TAK believes that like any other outbreaks in history, this pandemic will phase out by the end of 2020. The Authority will therefore use this unusually quiet period to re-assess and re-valuate its priorities to ensure that the current needs of its stakeholders are highlighted and to also prepare the industry for when Kiribati tourism will be back in business.

Tourism Awareness Campaign in South Tarawa schools

March 30, 2020 by Taare Rikiai

Two officers from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a tourism awareness program to all Primary Schools on South Tarawa and Betio from 16 March 2020.

This is an annual program conducted from TAK’s Training and Development Division and the aim of the program is to educate students about the Tourism Industry and its contribution to the Kiribati economy and the people’s livelihood.

Tourism Awareness Campaign targets class six students only and the program includes a presentation which TAK ensures relates to the context of the children’s syllabus extracted from the Curriculum Development Unit (Ministry of Education).

Eight (s) schools have been visited so far and these include, Aratokotoko Primary School, Bareaumai, Sunrise, Bikenibeu West, War Memorial, Tebwanimwaneka, Abaunamaou, and Taaken Bairiki.

TAK will continue with this program once school resumes in the second term.

17/03/20 UPDATE – KIRIBATI HEALTH TRAVEL ADVISORY & RESTRICTIONS IN RELATION TO THE 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID -2019)

March 30, 2020March 17, 2020 by George Kumkee

All travellers FROM and TO KIRIBATI (Tarawa and Kiritimati) are advised to take note of the following:

Citizens and residents of Kiribati who are planning to travel to areas and territories in countries with sustained transmission are recommended to avoid non-essential travel.
In the event that travel cannot be postponed; preventive measures should be adhered to at all times.
In case of symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory illness before travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and advise about travel restrictions.
In case of symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory illness during and after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share travel history with health care providers.
A Health Arrival Form is to be filled out by all incoming travelers upon arrival to Kiribati through Tarawa and Kiritimati.
All incoming international travelers will be subjected to temperature check upon arrival to the international airports and seaports in Kiribati.
All Travelers from areas and territories in countries with local transmission11 of novel coronavirus must spend 14 days2 in a country free of the COVID-2019, and to provide a medical clearance after the 14 days to confirm and/or prove this coronavirus free status. Exemptions for medical clearance can be considered for transit passengers and those who come from the Countries NOT listed in this travel health advisory (THA).
In the event that travelers arrive earlier than the required 14-day-period, health quarantine measures may be applied and deportation to the country of travel origin would be considered depending on the health status of the individual.
Such travel advisory applies to all travelers including returning residents as the country has highly vulnerable group (high incidence of NCDs) of COVID-19 and also the absence or limited capacity of clinical management and ability to contain the virus if introduce.
The 14 days quarantine implies that traveling can only be on the 15th day onwards
Exemptions for medical clearance can be considered for transit passengers that are coming from the Countries NOT listed in this health travel advisory (HTA).
In the event that travelers arrive earlier than the required 14-day period, health quarantine measures may be applied and deportation to the country of travel origin would be considered, depending on the health status of the individual.
Such travel advisory applies to all travelers including returning residents as the country has highly vulnerable group (high incidence of NCDs) of COVID-19 and also the absence or limited capacity of clinical management and ability to contain the virus if introduced.

THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL COME INTO FORCE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
All travelers are required to comply with the required preventive measures.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

At all times:

Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections
People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing and wash hands)
Avoid contact with animals (alive or dead), visiting animal markets, and purchasing products thatcome from animals (such as uncooked meat).
Wash hands often with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol- based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Older travelers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to affect areas and territories with their health care provider.
In order to minimize the risk of transmission, people travelling to the affected area should maintain good hand and personal hygiene.
Travelers should seek medical attention if they develop respiratory symptoms within 14 days if visiting any other affected countries or countries with local transmissions, informing their health
service prior to their attendance about their recent travel to the affected country.
Self-Quarantine at home to minimize spread of infection

These measures are being undertaken to protect Kiribati from the introduction of this infection into our communities.

For more information contact Mrs Kaaro Neeti (Secretary, MHMS) on (686) 74028100 extension 202; or (686) 73072357 or Director of Public Health 73058772, or Deputy Director of Public Health 73007258

In updates on Confirmed Countries with COVID 19:

According to WHO there are 159 countries, areas or territories with confirmed cases. From the 159 countries, territories and areas, 82 countries have been confirmed for local transmission cases of the COVID19:

You can also click on WHO (COVID-19) Situation map link below for world updates: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd

Tourism Authority Participates in Coronavirus Emergency Response Simulation Exercise

February 13, 2020 by George Kumkee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13Feb20:

Tourism Authority of Kiribati participated in the country’s first 2019-nCoV Novel Coronavirus emergency response simulation exercise hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operation Centre in Nawerewere.

The exercise saw the converging of all relevant government and private sector stakeholders at the Operation Centre to firstly learn about nCoV and understand the potential threat it poses on the population if it were to ever reach Kiribati. The exercise also included the discussion of standard response procedures based on the different case scenarios.

Through WHO guidance, participants discussed in detail their responsibilities, responses and standard operating procedures to different levels of Coronavirus threat on Kiribati.

The exercise gave participants a better understanding of the important role of communication during such a national disaster and how each stakeholders role is important to helping prevent any potential outbreak on Coronavirus in Kiribati.

Another key outcome of the exercise was the agreement that national response to Coronavirus outbreak in Kiribati is to be centrally managed through the highest national emergency response body which is the Kiribati National Experts Group (KNEG).

Kiribati has placed control measures on all travellers from areas and territories in countries with ongoing local transmission of Novel Coronavirus. These travellers must spend at least 14 days in a country free of the 2019-nCoV. Travellers arriving earlier than the required 14-day-period may be deported to the country of travel origin depending on the health status of the individual.

Mandatory temperature checks for all incoming passengers have also been activated in all international ports of entry in Kiribati.

Tourism Awareness Campaign with Grade Nine Students at Junior Secondary Schools on South Tarawa and Betio

November 9, 2019October 30, 2019 by Taare Rikiai

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati carried out a school awareness campaign to all Grade 9 levels on South Tarawa and Betio which commenced from mid-September to end of October this year.

The main purpose of this campaign is to explain to students and young ones about the potential of tourism and how it will assist and support their lives in the future and the future economic development of Kiribati.

Three Government Level 9 schools that are JSS TUC 1, JSS TUC 2 and BTC JSS plus four Level 9 Church schools, Santa Maria College, Moroni High School, William Goward Memorial School and St Louis High School that were visited by TAK team.

Tourism Awareness Campaign with Grade 9 Students at Junior Secondary Schools on South Tarawa and Betio

The program carried out annually, not just through school awareness campaign but through roadshows and community visits, aiming to spread awareness on the potential of tourism to everyone.

Tourism Authority Kiribati