Press Releases – Page 3 – Kaongora Newsletter

Tourism Authority welcomes Nauru Airlines announcement

September 30, 2022September 28, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) welcomes the announcement by Nauru Airlines to resume its Island Hopper Service from 16 October 2022. This service last operated in March 2020, prior to the COVID-19 international border closure.

Nauru Airline’s Island Hopper schedule will connect Kiribati with Brisbane, Australia and Nadi Fiji through Nauru and also offer direct fortnightly return services from Tarawa to Majuro, the capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau acknowledged the important role played by regional carriers like Nauru Airlines in connecting remote yet unique Pacific Island destinations like Kiribati with the rest of the world.

The Brisbane to Tarawa via Nauru flight will begin as a Sunday fortnightly service, departing Brisbane at 8.15am and arriving at Bonriki International Airport at 5.10pm.

Manufolau added that the service will be ideal for business travellers from Australia and opens up additional travel options for off the beaten track leisure traveller seeking to journey the road least travelled.

Nauri Airline’s Island Hopper services now means that travellers have 2 weekend departure options from Brisbane, with the second being with Solomon Airlines. Fiji Airways compliments this with its twice a week direct service from Nadi to Tarawa.

TAK joins 80th anniversary commemoration of the bombing of Keuea village

September 7, 2022August 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

On 17 August, 1942, US Marines and Carlson Raiders attacked the local Japanese garrison (est. 160 Japanese troops), and destroyed installations and seaplane bombers on the island of Butaritari (Makin).

In retaliation, Japanese war planes were sent from the Marshall Islands to Makin Butaritari on the 18th August, instructed to bomb the second village from the South anticipating that the 9 Americans were still hiding there. The bombers instead mistakenly bombed Keuea village, the second village from the North and in process killed 48 innocent Keuea villagers.

On Saturday 27^th August 2022, a high-level delegation led by the Honourable Minister for Information, Communications and Transport (MICT) Honourable Tekeeua Tarati, Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC) Honourable Bootii Nauan and the Minister for Education (MoE) Honourable Alex Teabo joined the people of Keuea to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the bombing of their village in 1942.

It was a sombre occasion as the commemoration began with a march parade by children and adults of Keuea village, followed by a flag raising ceremony and the singing of both the Kiribati national anthem and the Butaritari song.

Also in attendance was US Embassy Suva, Fiji, Chargé d’Affaires Tony Greubel who joined Honourable Tarati and elders of Keuea in placing their wreaths at the commemoration monument.

The event concluded with traditional Kiribati entertainment and a sumptuous island feast prepared by the village.

Remnants of WWll are still visible throughout Butaritari and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is working with local authorities and international partners to preserve and promote the island for battlefield tours.

WWII Battle of Tarawa Tour Resumes

September 1, 2022August 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Battle of Tarawa was one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific during WWII. Fought between 20 – 24 November 1943 between the American marines and Japanese soldiers, this significant event in Kiribati’s history claimed a total of 1,113 US marines, and 4,690 Japanese soldiers and Korean labourers.

Remnants of this event are still visible throughout Betio island, South Tarawa and can now be enjoyed by travellers through organised tours, now that Kiribati’s international border are open.

On 11 August 2022, US Embassy, Suva, Fiji dignitaries, led by Chargé d’Affaires Tony Greubel were amongst the first group of international visitors to enjoy a fully guided tour of the WWll relics and monuments on Betio.

The tour coordinated by a local inbound tour operator Kiribati Holidays. Tour guide Ms. Toka Rakobu provided the group detailed history on the battle of Tarawa, battlefield relics and the group paid their respects to their fallen Marines at the US Marines memorial at the Sports Complex.

Click here for more information on Battlefield Tours

TAK participates in Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme

August 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Senior Tourism Marketing and Promotion Officer Ms Sarah Botaake Teetu participated in a Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) short course. Titled ‘Embracing Digital Transformation for Tourism in the New-Norm’ – Strategies in Developing and Managing Sustainable Muslim Friendly Destinations and Product, the vitual training was held on 22 – 30 August 2022.

The training also presented Ms. Teetu the opportunity to conduct destination presentation to participants from the Africa, Arab and Asian nations.

Ms Teetu seized the opportunity to better understand digital opportunity for tourism destination management and explore Malaysia’s niche tourism segments. The programme also discussed the rise of millennial travel and how to better understand and accommodate their needs through digital marketing.

Participants also used the opportunity to learn basic Malaysian language and participated in a virtual tour of the Melaka River, a prominent Malaysian attraction.

The training concluded with discussions on critical success factors in ensuring smooth and successful transformation toward digitalisation from tourism perspectives and initiative to enhance tourism sector in the new norm through digitalisation.

Kiribati US Tourism Pro-fellows to give back to Community

September 1, 2022August 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Hawaii’s East West Centre has over the years hosted a number of Kiribati tourism young professionals in its Tourism Professional Fellow program. Conducted on cohorts of up to 20 participants, the program included leadership and mentorship program across various tourism related sectors in Hawaii and a 1-week global conference in Washington DC, USA.

Pro-fellows alumni in Tarawa met with US Embassy Press & Media Coordinator and former Fiji US Alumni (FUSA) President, Miss Maggie Boyle to discuss the establishment of a Kiribati US Alumni chapter.

Ms Boyle shared her experiences of what an alumni could achieve and the support mechanisms in place to help Kiribati US Alumni create a positive impact in their respective professional environment and communities.

There are over 80 US Alumni in Kiribati and the Tourism Pro-fellows hopes to reach out to each one of them to begin discussions on how their US professional development experiences can be best utilised to benefit local communities.

Air Kiribati welcomes new aircraft.

August 1, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Domestic carrier, Air Kiribati welcomed an addition to its fleet with a celebration at the airline’s Bonriki International Airport hangar on Saturday 30 July 2022. The event was attended by the Minister for Information, Communication and Transport (MICT), Honourable Tekeeua Tarati, Air Kiribati Board of Directors, Management and staff.

The 19-seater Vikings Twin Otter 400 series is the latest version of the aircraft type and features a full glass cockpit.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed this addition to Air Kiribati’s fleet, noting that it will help increase connectivity and frequency of air access to the outer Gilbert group of islands.

TAK Deputy CEO, Reeti Onorio added, “the timing could not have been better as Kiribati open’s its international borders from 01 August 2022”. She added “Air Kiribati plays a vital role in the development and sustainability of tourism in Kiribati and that TAK looks forward to cooperating with the airline to boost the sector’s growth across the destination”.

Abemama Community-based Tourism Products Launched

August 1, 2022July 29, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Kiribati Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC), Honourable Booti Nauan led a team of government officials to launch the Abemama Island Community-based Tourism Program developed by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) from 22 to 25 July 2022.

Abemama was selected to pilot this community-based tourism product development initiative through LDCF1 Food Security Project coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Land and Agricultural Development (MELAD).

The launch coincides with the country’s international border reopening from 01 August 2022 which aims to make Abemama a sustainable tourism ready island that offers responsible, safe and community-based tourism experiences.

At the launch, Honorable Minister Nauan encouraged participants to continue their commitment to their tourism businesses as it will enable the island to gain international recognition for its pristine environment, turquoise lagoon, unique attractions, rich history and warm hospitality.

6 communities and an accommodation provider are part of this program, which combined and will deliver a 5-days 3-days island off the beaten track packages. Experiences offered through in these packages include cultural performances, marine-based activities, resilient farming tours and local Kiribati cuisine.

Participating communities and operator were provided with certificates of recognition for their contributions to the safe, smart and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

Butaritari Tourism Product Development Consultation

June 30, 2022June 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a 1-week consultation on Niche Tourism Product Development on Butaitari from 27 May – 2 June 2022.

The consultation was done with Keuea village, Ukiangang Meang and Maiaki, Bikaati islet and Tanimaiaki village, Te unimwaane association and Butaritari island council.

The five participating communities confirmed their tourism product offerings, and these include Marine Protected Area (MPA) tour, giant clam tour, mangrove forest tour, World War ll tours, including the bombing of Keuea and Kaukinanganga event, island cultural tour including Nantekei war dance, sports tourism (te uniwakaa), and agritourism.

The consultation included discussions on product development stages, product quality and pricing and a training workshop on tourism package development.

Through this mission, TAK helped establish the Butaritari Tourism Development Working Committee (BTDWC) as a standing committee of the island council. The BTDWC will be mandated to oversee the development and management of tourism product development and other tourism related activities on the island.

The Butaritari island council and the new working committee have extended their full support to TAK to help develop Butaritari as a resilient and sustainable tourism destination.

The George Hotel receives Bakery Training

May 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a 4-day pastry baking training to 3 kitchen staff of the George Hotel from 16-19 May 2022.

The training was provided by the Assistant Training and Development Officer as a special request from the George Hotel to improve their kitchen staffs’ capability in baking as well as to enhance their pastry menu offered to guests.

In the midst of Covid-19 outbreak and the prolonged lockdown and curfews, George Hotel have been able to maintain its kitchen employees, and this had been possible through the provision of catering services as an alternative to the Hotel restaurant. The request for the bakery training enables the hotel to provide a variety of menu for breakfast or morning tea serves.

A total of eight recipes were shared during the training with practical sessions at the hotel’s kitchen. TAK encouraged the trainees to keep practicing their new recipes and improve their pastry menu and presentation to guests.

TAK signs MoU with China Tourism Academy

May 31, 2022May 30, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) through the Government of Kiribati (GoK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Tourism Academy (CTA) to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries for tourism development and promotions.

The signing took place on the margins of the official visit of the State Councillor of the People’s Republic of China and Foreign Minister, His Excellency Wang Yi and his delegation on Friday 27th of May, 2022.

The MoU promotes the development of the Kiribati tourism industry and promotion of the destination in China in the areas of program and market research, destination marketing and promotions, capacity building and training, and participation in international tourism seminars and events

His Excellency Taneti Maamau acknowledged the visit of H.E. Wang Yi and his delegation which demonstrates China’s commitment to enhancing mutual trust, building consensus, expanding cooperation, and deepening friendship with the Republic of Kiribati.

The signing of the MoU formalises TAK’s partnership with CTA and it prepares for a safe, smart and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

Tourism Authority Kiribati