Press Releases – Page 5 – Kaongora Newsletter

Kiribati continues with its vaccination program

January 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Kiribati received an additional 2200 doses of AstraZeneca from the Australian High Commission, on 24 January 2022.

The additional vaccines and recent deliveries of PPE and oxygen concentrators will help Kiribati to respond to the current COVID19 situation.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati, therefore, encourages all the tourism stakeholders, especially in South Tarawa to get vaccinated and assist Ministry of Health and Medical Services Kiribati in their work to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

TAK would also like to wish all our Australian friends and colleagues a Happy Australia Day.

Nonouti Island presents Opportunities for Tourism

January 5, 2022January 4, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Located south of the equator, the island of Nonouti is better known for being home to Kiribati’s largest and oldest maneaba known as ‘te Aake’ or the ark.

Through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) project in the context of global climate change, Nonouti is undergoing an eco-tourism product development which aims to use tourism as a means of enhancing food security on the island.

Under this arrangement, 6 villages and communities of Nonouti underwent eco-tourism product development awareness training on how sustainable tourism development can improve the islands socio-cultural, environmental, and economic well-being.

Nonouti’s tourism potential includes its designated marine protected area tours, cultural and historical attractions, bonefishing, local culinary experiences and agritourism products.

TAK will continue to work with the 6 selected villages and communities in Nonouti to develop their own unique tourism products which should be available for travellers to experience when Kiribati’s international borders open in 2022.

Scheduled International Flights to begin from 10 January 2022

January 4, 2022January 4, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement by The President, His Excellency Taneti Maamau for the gradual reopening to Kiribati’s international border from 10 January 2022.

Speaking to Radio Kiribati, President Maamau confirmed that this will begin with scheduled international flight into Tarawa once every 2 weeks. Through this arrangement, all international travellers arriving in Kiribati will be required to comply with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) standard operating procedures.

Travellers will need to present proof of full vaccination 14 days prior to departure to MHMS, undergo a 10-day pre-departure quarantine with negative COVID-19 test and a further COVID-19 free test result 72 hours prior to departure. Once in Kiribati, visitors will undergo 14 days mandatory quarantine at their own cost.

TAK acknowledges that the scheduled fortnightly flights will present Kiribati tourism operators with renewed business opportunities following the 21 months closure of the country’s international borders.

The Authority has delivered COVID-19 protocol training for registered accommodation providers in the Gilbert and Line islands to prepare them for the resumption of international travel into Kiribati.

TAK Plans for 2022

January 3, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Board of Directors, Management and staffs underwent a 2-day retreat to review its 2021 workplan outcomes and finalise the organisation’s 2022 workplan at Tabon Te Keekee Eco Lodge in Abatao North Tarawa from 28 – 30 December 2021.

The retreat presented TAK the opportunity to measure its performance in 2021 and assess and acknowledge lessons learnt from what has been described as another challenging year for international travel and tourism.

Through the participation of its Board of Directors, TAK was also able to review its strategic priorities based on the provisions of the Kiribati Tourism Act 2018.

The retreat also allowed TAK and its Board of Directors to extensively discuss Kiribati’s Tourism Restart Program and how the organisation’s 2022 workplan must be aligned to achieving the destinations reopening priorities.

In her closing remarks, Board Chairperson, Ms Aako Teikake congratulated TAK management and staffs on their diligence throughout 2021 and encouraged the team to remain focused on the deliverables set out for 2022.

TAK joins World Food Day celebration

November 15, 2021October 25, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) joined the World Food Day celebration at Betio, South Tarawa today. The event was organized by the Agriculture and Livestock Division of the Ministry of Environment, Lands & Agricultural Development (MELAD), with the theme “Our actions are our future – better production and better life for resilient islands and resilient communities”.

TAK presented the value of agritourism at the event, highlighting the opportunities that exist for a ‘farm to table’ concept, utilising local produce.

Product Development Officer Kiarake Karuaki shared the importance of food in the travel industry, and how local communities play a pivotal role in the development of small farms and well managed ocean catch to help improve travellers’ culinary experiences. In her presentation, Karuaki showcased the traditional food journey and highlighted that every step of the food journey is important to creating authentic and memorable experiences for visitors.

TAK is working with local island communities to develop agritourism products. One such community is the Reina Community in Abemama which has undergone numerous product development trainings and will be assisted once Kiribati’s international borders reopen.

Tourism Restart Program rolled out in Kiritimati Island

October 22, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The announcement by His Excellency, Te Beretitenti, Taneti Maamau in September to open Kiribati’s borders in January 2022 has prompted the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) to begin rolling out its Tourism Restart Program in Kiritimati Island.

A key component to the Kiribati Restart Program is the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal, a set of safety protocols designed to assist tourism business operators to protect their guests and staffs against the threat of COVID-19 when borders reopen in January 2022.

The training was delivered on the 20^th and 21^st of October at the Inn Pacific Motel, Kiritimati and was attended by accommodation providers from around the island.

In his official address, the Minister for Line & Phoenix Islands Development (MLPID) Honorable Mikarite Temari urged the tourism operators to take the training seriously. He encouraged participants to capture as much as possible from these safety protocols.

He said that “as frontline staff, the future of border reopening for Kiritimati depends on how confident and ready you are to receive international visitors”.

Honourable Temari added that MLPID plans to have Kiritimati be the first to open its international border however this will depend on COVID0-19 safety protocols compliance by all tourism business operators.

Participants of the workshop included employees from the Villages hotel, Lagoon View hotel, Inn Pacific motel, Mauri Delights apartment, Sunset Horizon Fishing Lodge, The Little Flower Guesthouse and Ikari house.

The training included simulation exercises on each recommended protocol to allow participants to better grasp the significance of the compliance measures, particularly since Kiritimati has been COVID-19 safe since the pandemic broke out. Participants will also be assisted with a supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

In thanking the trainers, Mr Bureieta from the Village Hotel shared that all tourism operators in Kiritimati look forward to the reopening of the border as the hotel industry has been the most affected during this pandemic. He also expressed that they were equally conscious of the risks of COVID- 19 and will ensure that they are all fully compliant and well prepared for the reopening.

The protocol and training were funded through the US Embassy’s Economic Recovery Grant and supported by the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) and the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI).

COVID-19 protocol Training in Abaiang

August 27, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in partnership with the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) conducted its Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal training for tourism operators in Abaiang island on Friday 20 August 2021.

The training is part of TAK’s tourism restart program and is focused on educating tourism businesses on COVID-19 travel safety protocols and assist them to comply with these protocols one Kiribati’s international borders reopen.

The one-day training was attended by representatives from Terau Beach Bungalow, Ocean Breeze Bungalow, Abaiang Island Council Guest House, and Teirio Retreat.

Funded the US Embassy’s Economic Recovery Fund, the training also included the provision of PPEs to each participating tourism operator. Similar training is also planned for Kiritimati and outer islands of the Gilbert and Line islands.

Kiribati Tourism Destination Song

August 27, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has launched the Kiribati Tourism Destination Song Competition 2021, an initiative targeted to invite local artists, musicians, and choir associations to compose an original song.

There are two song categories. One is for modern contemporary with a blend Kiribati Island beat or chant. The other one will be for a more traditional song using a serenading group or choir. The two songs must use a mix of both English and Kiribati language.

Song submissions will go through a thorough selection process by TAK and five best songs will be selected to go through the final selection by the judges. The winning composers for the two song categories will be invited to sing and showcase their winning song during the World Tourism Day on 27 September 2021.

TAK encourages submissions to highlight the unique features of Kiribati and must be 3 minutes or longer.

TAK Head of Marketing, Mrs. Sarah Reymond shares that this will be the first time for TAK to run such a destination marketing song competition and that it will be an important part to Kiribati’s tourism restart program.

All submissions are due at TAK Kiritimati or Tarawa by 20 September 2021.

Kiribati progressing with its vaccination program

August 19, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Government of Kiribati through the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS), development partners and other government agencies are working towards vaccinating its estimated 71,202 eligible citizens. These include I-Kiribati nationals aged 18 years and above.

From May 2021, the Government of Kiribati embarked on its vaccination program seeking to cover 20% of the targeted eligible population in South Tarawa and its nearby islands of North Tarawa, Maiana and Abaiang.

A total of 13,970 received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in May and have begun receiving their second doze from 04 August 2021.

Kiribati’s world-class fly-fishing destination Kiritimati (Christmas) island and Kanton, the administration centre for the Phoenix Island Protected Area (PIPA) and also one of the world’s largest marine protected area, is tentatively scheduled to begin their vaccination roll out from September 2021. This will also include Kiribati’s surfing hotspot Tabuaeran (Fanning) island and neighbouring Teraina (Washington) island.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK)welcomes the progress of the country’s vaccination program as it views the health and safety its citizens as paramount to the safe and smart restart of tourism to Kiribati.

Kiribati extends border closure

August 2, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Government of Kiribati confirms that following a thorough assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has declared a further extension of its border closure. This new extension will remain in effect until 31 December 2021 unless a new advisory is issued to lift this extension when the situation improves, or other justifying requirements are met. As with previous border closure notices, special approvals can still be obtained for humanitarian flights to transport essential equipment, medical supplies and for the conduct of medevac operations.

Standard Operational Procedures developed to safeguard the public from the potential entry and transmission of COVID-19 will remain in force for all incoming vessels/travelers including a mandatory quarantine of 14 days at the Government-designated facility on South Tarawa. The repatriation of stranded I-Kiribati abroad would also be subjected to the strict assessment of the risks involved and the capability of our current COVID-19 safe measures to manage these underlying risks.

The provision of medical supplies and cargoes will also continue under the established COVID-19 safety procedures and protocols to ensure necessary support is provided to strengthen the national health system and to address people’s needs.

The Government acknowledges that the COVID-19 free status of the country has been possible from the dedicated service of all frontline workers and 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.

Tourism Authority Kiribati