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Press Releases

Kiribati elected to Chair Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)

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The Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), Petero Manufolau was appointed Chair to the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Board of Directors at its bi-annual meeting on Wednesday May, 25th 2022.

In acknowledging the selection by the SPTO Board, Manufolau noted the importance of the opportunity, especially for a Small Island State like Kiribati.

“Though we are a small island state with a minute contribution to regional tourism, rest assured that we are determined to work collaboratively and innovatively with SPTO, its membership and key stakeholders to ensure sustainable, resilient, inclusive and prosperous tourism reactivation in the Pacific”.

TAK is grateful for this opportunity to serve regional tourism as Chair of the SPTO Board and will work with SPTO CEO, secretariat and members to advance the region’s post COVID-19 recovery and promote sustainable tourism development in the Pacific.

Tabiteuea South Outer Island Perceptions (OIPS) Survey Report

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TAK has released the Tabiteuea South (Tab South) OIPS report which contains interesting information and data on how the people of Tab South feel about tourism.

The data was collected through a series of face to face interviews with the locals of Tab South in November 2021. The respondents’ ages ranged from 22 -67 years with a gender split of 70% female and 30% male. 20 individuals were interviewed.

The survey measured income from tourism products sold as well as tourism activities and attractions that the people felt were available to visitors.

This report hopes to expose any gaps in the tourism sector on Tab South and identify pathways for TAK, the Island Council and the communities to work together to bridge these gaps and present Tab South to the rest of the world as a truly unique tourism destination.

The survey targets all outer islands except Tarawa and Kiritimati which are considered the ‘urban’ centres of Kiribati. This is the 8th report of its kind and the survey results are shared first with the respective Full Council meeting before it is circulated to other stakeholders and the general public.

Kiribati receives support for Climate Resilience

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Communities in Kiribati will receive support for climate resilience as part of a new $20 million climate change adaptation project.

The World Bank has approved the Kiribati Outer Islands Resilience and Adaptation Project to work with 20 of Kiribati’s Island councils together with three urban councils across Tarawa to invest in community-level climate resilience measures that will directly support 14,000 people equivalent to 12% of the country’s population.

These measures include providing communities with improved access to fresh water, drainage improvements, coastal protection, upgrades to buildings and critical facilities as well as maintenance equipment and climate-resilient solutions for flooding.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) sees great potential that this project will provide to the outer islands in terms of provision of a more conducive environment for tourism investment opportunities. TAK will be guided by its Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework to work and support island communities in sustainable tourism development and shaping their tourism initiatives to be more climate resilient.

 

 

TAK officially adopted to new Ministry

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) was officially adopted by its new Ministry the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives during a banquet celebration which took place on Tuesday, 10 May at Tenimanraoi Maneaba, Betio.

Hosted by the Honourable Minister Bootii Nauan, the event was attended by His Excellency, Te Beretitenti Taneti Maamau and First Lady Maamau, Government Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Unimwane and Unaine of Betio, CEO’s and Board Chairmans and staff of the MTCIC. The celebration included a traditional blessings from te Unimwane of Betio; the official handing over from the former Honorable Minister of Ministry of Information, Communications, Transport (MICT) and the welcome of TAK team by the Honorable Minister, MTCIC.

In his remarks, Hon Minister Nauan acknowledged TAK and the authority’s mandate to improving the livelihood of local people through income generation. He also reminded TAK of their supporting role to achieve the goals of the Kiribati Government Motinnano. Minister Nauan also expressed his appreciation to TAK’s former Ministry and looks forward to supporting TAK achieve its KV20 goals.

TAK was established on 10 June 2019 under the Tourism Act 2018 and currently employs 19 staffs with offices stationed in Tarawa and Kiritimati Island.

Abemama Ecotourism Communities Prepare for Tourism Restart

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) carried out the Tourism Restart program to Abemama Ecotourism communities as part of the preparation for a safe, secure and sustainable border reopening on the island of Abemama.

The program consists of a week training to active ecotourism communities of Reina, Baretoa community, and Ainen Wiikin Abemama on areas of Revenue management and Tourism business fundamentals. The overall objective of this one-week training is to guide these communities to improve their business initiatives and service offering through understanding of how to maximise and manage their revenue, compliance to Mauri mark standards, human resource development initiatives, customer service, market analysis and marketing and promotions of their tourism products and services.

TAK also had the opportunity to train these communities on the Covid-19 tourism and hospitality protocols to ensure health safety measures are practiced when the border opens.

The training was supported by the Kiribati LDCF-1 Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented under the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

COVID-19 Protocol Monitoring and Evaluation Assessment in Kiritimati

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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.

Mauri Mark assessment in North Tarawa

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A Mauri Mark Accommodation Standards assessment was carried out on North Tarawa tourism accommodations operators as part of the TAK Post COVID-19 Tourism Restart Program.

The Product & Development Manager Mr. Iataake King led the TAK team with a courtesy visit and briefing with the Eutan Tarawa Island council Mayor and Clerk before they headed off to visit the tourism accommodation providers at their respective locations starting from Buariki to Abatao village.

The accommodations were assessed based on the Mauri Mark Accommodation standards criteria of their facilities based on fire safety procedures, health hygiene standards, safety & maintenance, facilities and in-room amenities, environmental sustainability practices, and guest support service. Those operators that meet the minimum standards will be awarded with the Mauri Mark Certificates and allocated with the Mauri Mark coconut rating of 1 to 3 coconuts depending on their assessment results.

TAK encouraged these visitor accommodations to take this Mauri Mark Standards seriously to support the safety, security, and sustainability of their tourism products as well as assist in the promotion and marketing of their services to their target market.

Tourism Survey in North Tarawa

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati conducted its annual survey known as the Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) in North Tarawa on the 25th and 26th of March. The primary objective of this survey is to update the TAK database of tourism operators and includes data such as services offered, available facilities, number of rooms, and number of employees to name a few.

This is part of TAK’s annual work plan to ensure our accommodation database is accurate and up to date. The data collected is strictly confidential and only the contact information or a combined summary of the businesses is shared with stakeholders and our regional and international partners.

The team surveyed 7 properties namely Tabon Tekeeke; Tabuki Retreat; Uaai Getaway; Bikennarara Resort; Nemat Resort; Tarabuka Hideaway and Ocean View.  Many of these accommodations are locally built comprising of overwater Buia and local huts.

The survey was conducted by the Research and Statistics Division team.

COVID-19 Protocol Compliance Assessment in North Tarawa

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TAK’s Training and Development Unit carried out a Covid-19 Protocol compliance assessment to tourism accommodation providers in North Tarawa on 25-26th March, 2022.

The objective of the visit is to assess the tourism accommodation providers that participated in the Tourism and Hospitality COVID- 19 Protocol for the New Normal training that was conducted in June 2021 on South Tarawa. Accommodations visited included Nemat Resort, Tarabuka Hideaway, Ocean View Motel, Bikenarara Resort, Uaai Island Getaway, Tabuki Retreat and Tabontekeeke Eco Lodge.

The assessment was based on compliance of these tourism providers in terms of actual application of the Covid-19 protocols at their visitor accommodations, sharing of what they have learned to other work colleagues, consistency of practice.

TAK encouraged tourism accommodation providers on North Tarawa to maintain consistency of practice of this Tourism and Hospitality Protocol for a safe, secure, and sustainable tourism in Kiribati.

Marketing Survey to Accommodation Providers in North Tarawa

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TAK marketing team returned from a 2-day survey to tourism operators in North Tarawa. The focus of the survey was on digital marketing promotion where it identifies tourism accommodation operators who need TAK support and assistance in website development for their properties. This initiative helps tourism accommodation operators enhance their online digital presence and promotion of their holiday products as well as contribute to destination marketing and preparation before Kiribati fully opens its border to international travel.

TAK also consulted with the North Tarawa tourism operators on enhancing their business from domestic tourism through the resumption of the Mauri Experience marketing campaign.  The campaign helps the operators promote any special deals that they can offer to the domestic population on South Tarawa to generate business from work retreats, family and friend holidays or special events.  The resumption of this Mauri Experience campaign comes in effect as North Tarawa recently reopened its borders to South Tarawa permitting just 20 guests per accommodation property at a time. Visitors must be certified and fully Covid-19 vaccinated before travelling to North Tarawa and they must comply with standard health measures including mask wearing and social distancing.

The team also took to the time to familiarize with any new developments or improvements that the operators have made during the lock down stage.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati is responsible for working with our partners to encourage travelers to come to Kiribati and spend time exploring our country.

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