Tourism Authority Kiribati

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Meeting & Conference

First Virtual Tourism Digital Workshop for Kiribati

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in partnership with the Pacific Trade and Invest (PTI) Australia and World Hotel Link (WHL) hosted the country’s first ever Virtual Digital Tourism Workshop on the 28 April 2020.  The half day webinar was attended by tourism operators from Tarawa, Abaiang and Kiritimati and was hosted at the Vodafone boardroom in Bairiki.

The webinar is part of the TAK’s capacity building initiative for industry partners and stakeholders during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of the webinar was to offer training on effective website management and how such a tool can be better used to improve sales and profitability.  Topics of this online session included the importance of knowing the online buying cycle, critical functionality/features of a website to boost sales and revenue and booking engine management.

Attendees appreciated the relevance of the webinar and acknowledged that it will add value to their respective organisations.

Through the webinar, PTI also reconfirmed its COVID-19 digital marketing relief package which includes the complimentary development of new business websites for tourism operators currently without one and a discounted monthly website maintenance fees for operators whose websites were developed by WHL.

TAK will roll out other capacity building programs to help upskill industry partners during this current global pandemic.

TAK Participates in KDP SOE Consultation Workshop

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11 March 2020

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in a 2 days Kiribati Development Plan (KDP) 2020-2023 State Owned Entities (SOE) consultation workshop that was organized by the National Economic Planning Office of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on 10 – 11 March 2020.

TAK used the workshop to present its mandate and discussed the key challenges it faces and opportunities that the Organisation can use to deliver its services efficiently.

The workshop also highlighted the need for SOEs to collaborate and TAK has taken the lead to engage in further discussions with selected SOEs whose services can help improve productivity for Tourism SMEs and operators.

In his presentation, TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau emphasized value of collaboration across State Owned Entities and as well as government sectors, particularly in areas where cross overs and similar goals can be identified.

The workshop concluded with SOE sector discussions to highlight common challenges and opportunities that exist in different sectors and identify ways to mitigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

TAK participates in Blue Economy Policy Dialogue

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) CEO participated at the Regional Conference and Policy Dialogue on Blue Economy, Ocean Tourism and Sustainable Blue Financing in Nadi, Fiji from 25 – 27 February 2020.

The two-day regional conference and  one-day policy dialogue provided an opportunity for officials from the coastal/ ocean countries in the Asia Pacific region the opportunity to gain knowledge on sustainable development in the context of ocean economy as well as exchanging views on how to promote economic growth from ocean tourism and develop blue financing in the face of habitually climate change.

The conference included presentations of academic and policy papers in related fields whilst the policy dialogues addressed ocean-economy related themes.

Kiribati used this platform to raise awareness of its national tourism development program in the wake of a global shift towards minimal carbon footprint and its links to blue economy and sustainable blue financing.

The event was jointly organised by the Asia Pacific Applied Economics Association (APAEA), Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI-SPF), International Cooperation and Development Fund, Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Fiji National University (FNU).

Tourism Authority participates in LDCF retreat for year 2020 costed workplan

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Two staff from TAK (Tourism Authority of Kiribati) were amongst 29 participants from different Government Ministry departments that took part in a weekend retreat held at Abaokoro, North Tarawa from the 13th-15th of December 2019.

The retreat was hosted by the Project Management Unit under the LDCF-I (Least Developed Countries Fund) Project. It is funded by the GEF (Global Environment Facility) Program under the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and implemented under the Environment and Conservation Division with the support of the United Nations Development Programme.

The purpose of the retreat was to review and finalise the activities for the 3 project islands, and devise a workplan and budget for the year 2020. It also allowed for the different stakeholders to devise ways in which they can work together on joint mission strategies. The members of the retreat comprised of 9 ministries, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource Development, Local Government Division, Culture and Museum Division, Environment and Conservation Division, Agriculture and livestock division, Ministry of Commerce and Industrial Cooperatives, Tourism Authority of Kiribati, Kiribati Local Government Association and Kiribati Meteorological Service.

TAK was able to discuss with the various departments regarding collaborative efforts to be able to achieve its objectives of demonstrating a community- based tourism management model. This is planned through development of community based sportfishing and complementary niche products business plan, capacity building and marketing and promotions and ensuring that the islands of Nonouti, Abemama and Maiana are tourism ready.

Simplified IALA risk assessment workshop.

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A team from the Marine Division of the Ministry of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development and Secretariat of the Pacific Community conducted a one-day workshop on Simplified IALA (International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities) Risk Assessment on 28th November 2019, in Kiritimati Island. The workshop was attended by Fisherman Association, Wildlife and Conservation Division, Customs, Marine Guard, CPPL (Central Pacific Producers Ltd.) and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK).

The main purpose of the workshop is to meet with concern stakeholders to assist in providing and assessing possible risks that would contribute to the safety of Navigation in the future.

The outcome of the workshop provides information that are vital for the safety management of our marine. This includes, the renewal of the Navigational/Hydrographic charts, installation of AtoNs (Aids to Navigations) and providing training on the rules of marine navigation.

Installation of new AtoNs at the main channel in London and providing new and updated Navigational charts would support cruise tourism development in Kiritimati and would also provide safety of tourists travelling in the sea for fishing, diving and surfing.

TAK attends closing ceremony of 2019 China – Pacific Island Countries Year of Tourism and Opening of CITM in Kunming

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) on the invitation of Luo Shugang, China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, attended the closing ceremony of the 2019 China – Pacific Island Countries Year of Tourism in Kunming on 15 November 2019.

The China – Pacific Year of Tourism 2019 offered a great opportunity for Pacific Island countries to showcase China what the Pacific Island countries has to offer in tourism and increased awareness of the potential that China has for the Pacific as an emerging market.

The closing ceremony coincided with the official opening of the 2019 China International Travel Mart (CITM) where TAK undertook product update training for Chinese travel trade and media partners. This was an initial introduction of Kiribati to the Chinese market and the session was used to establish links with valuable stakeholders.

TAK will work with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and Pacific Trade & Invest (PRI) China to further develop its presence in the Chinese market, including a China Market Ready workshop in 2020 and the translation of its collaterals/ information into Chinese.

 

TAK participates in Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum on Marine Ecotourism.

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The Deputy CEO and Deputy Chairman from Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) attended the first ever invitation of AIS Forum which was held at Manado. Indonesia from 30th October to 1st November 2019. The theme for the forum was Natural Beauty and Prosperity: Marine Ecotourism Opportunity.  The Forum was based on three major events; the Start Up Business Summit (SBS) held on 30th October, which is a forum for start-ups, academics, marine ecotourism communities; the 4th AIS Senior Officials Meeting held on 31st October and the 2nd Ministers Forum on 1st November 2019.

The overall aim for this AIS Forum was to spark practical actions to promote the development of smart and innovative solutions for the tourism sector and create business opportunities.  The theme was chosen as an effort to incorporate elements of conservation and sustainability into marine tourism activities of which incorporated challenges (including climate change adaptation and mitigation, combating marine plastic debris) and opportunities (for blue economy development and good ocean governance) as key topics of discussion.

The Senior Official meeting was attended by the Deputy CEO whilst the Deputy Chairman led as the Head of the Kiribati Delegation to the Ministers meeting. The AIS meeting was beneficial as it provided the platform to share ideas, experiences, and learn from different best practices from the various AIS delegations. Kiribati was also fortunate to share its best practices in terms of Good Marine Governance and promote the Phoenix Islands Protected Area Imitative.

The meeting also discussed the launch of the Blue Economy Index (BEDI) and the AIS Pledge to Ecotourism and support in Microfinance which TAK will be working towards.

The meeting outcomes will lay the path towards the first AIS Forum High Level Conference to be attended by Heads of States/Government in 2020 which no doubt Kiribati will be a part of.

TAK attends International Workshop on Ecotourism for Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) at Manado, Indonesia.

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The Deputy CEO of Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in a two- day workshop on Ecotourism which was conducted on 26-27th October 2019 at Manado, North Sulawesi, Republic of Indonesia. Kiribati was amongst 7 other Archipelagic and Small Island states that took part in the workshop which included Solomon Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Maldives, Seychelles, St Kilda and Indonesia. The workshop was jointly conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Coordinating Ministry of Marine Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and supported by UNDP Indonesia.

The 2-day workshop provided a very interactive platform, where participants engaged in discussions on Ecotourism programs, plannings, developments and management practices. Participants had the honour of learning opportunities, challenges and success stories of Bali tourism, and as well as getting updated on the business model that was adopted for Bali Ecotourism initiatives. Participants were also able to apply the business model based on different case studies and adding value based on their different country contributions.

Kiribati is grateful to be a part of this productive workshop as it not only contributed to capacity building and a great learning experience, but it has engaged broader networking with different tourism stakeholders within Indonesia, and other small island states within the Pacific and beyond.

WASH Workshop in Kiritimati

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A WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)  workshop in Kiritimati island coordinated by UNICEF was conducted at the Village hotel for two days on 11 & 12 November 2019.

The workshop emphasized on the importance of accessing safe drinking water, good and safe sanitation and hygiene. The workshop is part of UNICEF’s training awareness program for the Water and Sanitation project to be implemented on the island and will be funded by the European Union

Participation of TAK Kiritimati in the workshop gave us the opportunity to get a broad understanding of the program and to include it in Tourism awareness and training programs to both schools and accommodation providers in the future.

Kiritimati is a world-class fly-fishing destination and this workshop, and the project will also support tourism development through access to safe fresh water and good sanitation by tourism operators, schools and local communities.

TAK attends 3rd China – Pacific Economic Development and Cooperation Forum

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22 October 2019:

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) was part of the Kiribati delegation to the 3rd China – Pacific Islands Economic Development and Cooperation Forum held in Apia, Samoa on 21 October 2019.

The delegation was led by the Hon Minister for (MELAD) and included government officials from various ministry’s and the office of the President.

In its submission, TAK recognized the potential that the People’s Republic of China presents for the Kiribati tourism market and the need to raise awareness on tourism investment opportunities across the nation.

TAK attends 3rd China – Pacific Economic Development and Cooperation Forum

Chief Executive Officer, Petero Manufolau used the forum to create awareness on Kiribati’s vision for its tourism sector highlighting that the delivery of Air Kiribati’s Embraer jet aircrafts in December will mean a giant leap forward for the destination.

TAK shared that the sustainable growth of tourism in Kiribati however cannot be realized merely by the increased airline seat capacity from 2020. Other factors such product development, effective marketing and promotion and a China ready approach to human resource development and service delivery play an important role in achieving this.  Most vital to all these is an initial commitment to tourism infrastructure investment that will help pave the way for sustainable tourism growth in Kiribati.