Tourism Authority Kiribati

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Online Visitor Satisfaction Survey to help address Kiribati Hospitality Service Gaps.

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In an effort to improve Kiribati visitor experiences, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has placed Visitor Satisfaction Survey (VSS) information cards at local hotels to invite travelers to share their travel experience through the online survey.

The VSS is an online visitor survey that seeks to understand the needs and preferences of visitors to Kiribati. TAK will use VSS to capture traveller sentiments, identify tourism product and service gaps and to work with local tourism business operators to formulate appropriate measures that address these gaps.

VSS information cards feature a QR code and can be found at hotel reception desks.

TAK encourages visitors to Kiribati to share their experiences through the online VSS questionnaire and TAK appreciates the the support of local accommodation providers for agreeing collaborate on such a service improvement initiative.

CLICK HERE to complete a Kiribati Visitor Satisfaction Survey.

Tourism Business Inventory and Outer Island Perception Surveys in Abaiang

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati conducted two Tourism Surveys which are the Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) and the Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPs) on Abaiang from 12 – 17 September 2023.

The Tourism Business Inventory Survey is part of TAK’s yearly program to update information from accommodation providers including number of beds available, staff training needs, accommodation services, facilities, and contact information to be updated on TAK’s information platforms.

The Outer Island Perception Survey is a comprehensive effort to assess locals and to seek their perception on how tourism has influenced the lives and well-being of their community environmentally, economically, and socio-culturally. The survey was conducted among 10% of the total households on the island. Insights collected from this survey will not only help in crafting sustainable tourism policies but also ensures that tourism development are aligns with the community’s interests and values.

TAK would like to acknowledge the generous support from the Cultural Vistas small grant that made the successful execution of the survey. Cultural Vistas is an organization based in Washington DC, USA that committed to fostering cultural exchange and understanding between USA and the Pacific Island Nations that organized the Professional Fellows Program Oceania in June 2023.

The result of the OIPS will be shared once the reports is finalized later this year.

Tarawa Accommodations Awarded 2023 Mauri Mark Rating

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is pleased to announce that most North & South Tarawa Accommodation providers have been awarded Mauri Mark rating following assessments conducted in April and May 2023.

The Mauri Mark rating is a significant indicator of accommodation standards, serving as a trusted reference for travelers when making their booking decisions. It provides valuable insights into the quality and range of services offered, ensuring guests have a clear understanding of what to expect during their stay.

All North and South Tarawa accommodation providers underwent comprehensive evaluation across various criteria to secure their Mauri Mark Coconut rating. The assessment process covered crucial aspects such as Business Operations, Room Facilities, Fire Safety, Health and Hygiene, Support Services, and Sustainability. These parameters were examined to ensure that each rated accommodation provider meets or exceeds industry standards in each category.

The achievement of the Mauri Mark rating for most North and South Tarawa accommodation reflects Kiribati’s dedication to providing an exceptional guest experience albeit their slow recovery post COVID-19.

TAK is confident that amidst these challenging recovery phase, accommodation provider’s adherence to the standards of business operations, room facilities, fire safety measures, health, and hygiene protocols, support services, and commitment to sustainability is an indication of their commitment to raising visitor experience in Kiribati.

TAK will conduct the Mauri Mark Assessment in Kiritimati and the outer islands of the Gilber and Line Islands in the coming months.

TAK releases Kiribati Tourism Industry Review, Q2 – 2022

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has released the Kiribati Tourism Industry Review for the second quarter of 2022.

The report reveals that domestic air travel reduced by 22% compared to the previous quarter. Maritime domestic travel grew by 52% compared to Q1 2022.

Employment in the tourism industry also increased by 0.7% from the previous quarter. Room and bed inventory increased by 3% and 1% respectively for the same period.

Other tourism related data are also presented in the report including tourism employment by gender, most visited outer islands, international arrivals and departures.

TAK wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Air Kiribati Limited, the Marine Guard, Immigration department and the tourism and accommodation operators that supplied data for the purpose of this report.

Click here to view the report.

Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) Presentation in Butaritari

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) through its Research and Statistics Division presented the Butaritari Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) report to the island council Mayor, Acting Clerk, Te Unimwane Chairman and other local people who attended the TAK workshop on tourism product development in Butaritari.

The presentation highlighted the key points of the Butaritari OIPS results which analysed after the survey was conducted on the island in August 2021. The results highlighted the local peoples’ perceptions on tourism on Butaritari. It simplified the data in an understandable format, especially since many of the audience were did not have tourism or statistics backgrounds.

The presentation further outlined what the people thought were the impacts of tourism to their communities. Important areas such as the island’s tourism potential and uniqueness which distinguished it from the rest of Kiribati were also discussed.

Lastly the ways forward on developing Butaritari to becoming a sustainable tourism destination were also shared with the audience.

It is hoped that this information will be shared with the community members by those that were present at the presentations.

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.

Makin Outer Island Perceptions (OIPS) Survey Report

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has completed its report on the Makin Outer Island Perception Survey (OPIS).

The OIPS is conducted by TAK across all the Gilbert outer islands and in Teraina (Washington Island) and Tabuaeran (Fanning Island) to gauge islander’s perceptions on tourism.

Data for this survey was collected through a series of face-to-face interviews with residents of Makin Island. Questions in the survey include income earned through tourism, participants understanding of the impact of tourism on the islands and their recommendations of how tourism development can benefit them.

This report informs TAK on the gaps in the tourism sector on Makin and identifies pathways for TAK, the Makin Island Council, communities and stakeholders to work together to bridge these gaps and present Makin for what it truly represents both culturally and naturally.

The survey was based on a 10% sample size of the islands population and respondents’ ages ranged from 20-78 years with a gender split of 49% female and 51% male.

TAK will complete the OIPS for remaining islands in this current quarter.

Kiribati Tourism Industry Review Q2 2021 Report

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati has released the Kiribati Tourism Industry Review for the second quarter of 2021.

The report highlights that the domestic lockdown imposed in South Tarawa following the country’s first case of contained COVID-19 infection in May 2021 reduced domestic sea travel by 30%. On the other hand, domestic air travel increased by 53% in the first half of 2021.

Employment in the tourism industry picked up from the previous quarter growing by 2%. Room and bed numbers both increased by 6% compared to Q1 2021.

Other tourism data are also presented in the report such as tourism employment broken down by gender, most visited outer islands, and international repatriation numbers for Q2 2021.

The report was developed using data from various sources including  Ministry of Health & Medical Services; Air Kiribati Limited; Marine Guard; Immigration department and the tourism operators and accommodation providers.

Click HERE to download a copy of the report.

TAK released Abemama Island Tourism Perception Survey Report

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has released its report on the Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS)for Abemama Island.

The survey was conducted to gauge islander’s perception on tourism development in Abemama and identify growth opportunities that TAK and relevant stakeholders could consider for the island destination.

Data were collected through a series of interviews with  locals in March 2021. The respondents’ ages ranged from 20-70 years with a gender split of 60% female and 40% male.

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

This report also aims to identify any gaps in the tourism sector on Abemama and for TAK, the local island council and communities to work together to bridge these gaps and present Abemama to the world as a truly unique tourism destination.

This is the 3rd report of its kind after North Tarawa and Banaba and similar surveys will be conducted for other outer Gilbert islands.

Kiribati Tourism Industry Review Q1 2021 Report

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati has released the Kiribati Tourism Industry Review for the first quarter of 2021.

The report brings together data from various sources of information and TAK wishes to acknowledge the contributions of the Ministry of Health & Medical Services; Air Kiribati Limited; Marine Guard; Immigration department and the tourism operators and accommodations that supplied data for the purpose of this report.

Employment in the tourism industry continued to drop from the previous quarter falling a further 33% in Q1 2021. Room and bed numbers also dropped by 15% and 20% respectively.

Domestic travel also experienced drops with 4% decline in maritime travel and 57% decline in air travel.

Other tourism related data are also presented such as tourism employment broken down by gender, most visited outer islands, and repatriation numbers for Q1 2021.

Click Here to download a copy of the report.