Tourism Authority Kiribati

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Kiribati Tourism Industry Review 2020 Report

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has released the Kiribati Tourism Industry Review 2020 report which is a consolidation of data from various local sources and provides a general overview of Kiribati tourism sector in 2020.

The report reveals an 82% year on year (YOY) drop in international visitor arrivals in 2020 and the subsequent reduction in tourism employment by 61%.

In revenue, the border closure from the end of March 2020 resulted in an  estimated minimum loss of approximately AUD2.2m in tourism earnings to the Kiribati economy.

The report also reveals that whilst some Kiribati tourism businesses seized operations due to the border closure, those that remained opened were sustained by domestic, government and Non-Government Organisation (NGO’s) business.

The report is an annual analysis of the tourism sector and aims to update stakeholders with an annual review of Kiribati’s tourism industry.

TAK acknowledges the contributions of the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS), Air Kiribati Limited (AKL), Marine Guard,  Immigration department, Kiribati Customs, and tourism business operators to this report.

A copy of the report is available on https://corporate.visitkiribati.travel/download/kiribati-tourism-review-2020/

 

Tourism Surveys on Abemama

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted its Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS), Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) and an update of the tourism map for the island of Abemama earlier in March 2021.

TAK conducted the TBIS to update the accommodations and tourism operators’ database.  Data collected included operators’ services and facilities, location, contact details, climate change impact on their operations and waste management challenges.

The OIPS on the other hand was a means for the TAK to determine locals’ perceptions on tourism, in particular its environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts.

The OIPS was conducted in the villages of Kabangaki, Tebwanga, Bangotan te Kabwaia, Kariatebike, Tabontebike, Reina, Baretoa, Tekatirirake, Tanimainiku and Tabiang.

The tourism map of Abemama was updated using GPS to plot locations of new or previously unmapped tourism sites. Among the new sites were historical sites and idols in Kenna, part of Kabangaki village at the southern end of the island and on Biike islet. The updated map will allow visitors to locate accommodations and tourism sites on the island.

The outcomes of the surveys and mapping on Abemama will be used by TAK to assist in planning activities and programs for the development of Tourism on the island and will be shared with relevant stakeholders. Once finalised, a full report will be available in the Resource Centre on the TAK corporate website.

The surveys will also be carried out in other islands throughout 2021.

This trip was supported by LDCF-1 project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented under the Environment and Conservation division with the support of the United Nations Development Programme.

 

TAK undertakes Survey on Banaba

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The Research & Statistics Division of TAK recently visited the raised island of Banaba to update the tourist map of the island and roll out the new Kiribati Outer Islands Perceptions Survey which was piloted on North Tarawa in January. Banaba is the second island on which the survey has been conducted.

A total of 18 responses were gathered from ages ranging from 22 – 65 years.

The survey results examine how the locals feel about tourism and whether or not they see any benefit from the industry.

Banaba is very unique in that it is the only raised island in Kiribati and was once famous for its phosphate deposits. The rich history is still evident today with the old colonial-style homes, playgrounds, pavements, roads and mining equipment which makes Banaba island stand out from the rest of Kiribati.

The survey results will assist TAK gauge the locals’ readiness to embrace sustainable tourism development.

Tourism Business Inventory Survey

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted Tourism Business Inventory Surveys in Kiritimati and South Tarawa in February.

This 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.

New information gathered will help build a stronger destination portfolio of updated information for tourism operators in Kiribati, particularly now as TAK works towards safely restarting international tourism once borders reopen.

Tourism Business Inventory Surveys will be continuing in Abemama and the rest of the Gilbert group in March and April 2021.

Kiribati Tourism Q4 2020 Tourism Review Report

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati’s (TAK) 2020 Quarter 4 Tourism Review Report is now available in the Resource Centre of TAK’s corporate website.

The report contains domestic travel data and highlights maritime and air travel numbers, quarantine and repatriation information and domestic tourism supply for Kiribati.

The report highlights a 105.7% increase in maritime travel compared to the previous quarter, with Abaiang registering as the most visited island from South Tarawa by boat.

A 58% drop in domestic air travel was recorded in this quarter compared to the previous quarter, and Tabiteuea Meang registered the highest passenger traffic of 1448 visitors, due mainly to its position as a transit hub for the Southern Gilbert Islands.

The report also includes direct employment numbers in the tourism sector in Quarter 4, 2020.

With the absence of international visitors, the only inbound traffic for the quarter came from the 254 repatriated nationals and work permit holders.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati is grateful to the following stakeholders and data providers; Air Kiribati Limited; Ministry of Health & Medical Services’ Ministry of Information, Communications, Transport & Tourism Development; and the local accommodation operators in providing the valuable data.

Click here for report. 

TAK RELEASES 3rd Quarter Kiribati Tourism Review Report

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TAK has released its 2020 3rd quarter Tourism Review Report.

The report highlights Kiribati’s domestic travel market with statistics on maritime and air passengers travelling within country. Data collected indicated an 87% increase in domestic air travel compared to maritime transport. Maritime travel on the other hand dropped by 27% compared to the previous quarter.

Furthermore, the report also captures the number of local seafarers that have been quarantined at our local quarantine centres on Tarawa. Data gathered show an increase of 17% compared to 2nd quarter figures.

The final part of the report provides a snapshot of our tourism industry employment statistics including a 1% drop in the number of people directly employed by accommodation providers this quarter compared to the previous quarter.

TAK is grateful to Air Kiribati Limited, Ministry of Health & Medical Services, Ministry of Information, Communications, Transport & Tourism Development and the local accommodation providers for agreeing to share their data with us.

A copy of this report can be downloaded from the link below:

https://corporate.visitkiribati.travel/download/kiribati-tourism-industry-3rd-quarter-review-2020/

KIRIBATI 2019 IVS REPORT RELEASED

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has released its 2019 International Visitor Survey (IVS) Report.

International Visitors Survey 2019 was conducted over 12 months from March 2019 – March 2020, surveying international visitors departing from Bonriki International Airport in Tarawa and Cassidy International Airport in Kiritimati (Christmas Islands).

The IVS report is an important tool to understand international traveler psychology including motivations, customer spend, satisfaction, and demographics.

This report will be used by the Government of Kiribati (GoK) as a tool to effectively develop tourism policies including the implementation of tourism investment strategies consistent with market demands.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) hopes its private sector partners will find this report valuable to understanding their customers and align their products to travellers’ requirements. Likewise, local, and international tourism stakeholders and education institutions can use this IVS report to understand the business of tourism in the Kiribati context to help determine their contribution to sustainable tourism growth.

The IVS projects was funded by the European Union – Kiribati Corporation Office and supported by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO).

Q1 2020 Tourism Industry Review Report Released

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The Q1 2020 Tourism Industry report has been released in June for the benefit of our stakeholders.

For the first time, Outbound and domestic tourism has been analysed and the basic data is presented in the report.

Furthermore, the report contains international visitor arrival data as well as justifications for the changes in numbers. It also provides analysis by region, namely Tarawa and Kiritimati.

Visitor arrivals for this period were 1409, a drop of 17% compared to the same period last year. Both regions saw drops in their visitor numbers with Kiritimati hardest hit with only 384 arrivals between January and March this year, a massive drop of 55% compared to Q1 2019.

Domestically, a total of 6290 domestic flights were recorded with the most visited island being Abemama.

Outbound travel saw a total of 3049 I-Kiribati travelling overseas and most of this travel was for education purposes.

The report was prepared by the Research & Statistics Division of the TAK.

International Visitors Survey 2019 Report

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The International Visitors Survey 2019 (IVS 2019) report will be released in July 2020 following the conclusion of the survey in 2020. The IVS 2019 ran for a period of 12 months, having commenced on March 25th 2019 and conducted by enumerators and TAK staff using iPads supplied by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO).

The IVS is an internationally recognized survey using two methods, online questionnaires sent to departing visitors or face to face interviews at the departure lounge of the airport. Among the data recorded in this project were; preferred mode of transport; average amount spent on accommodation and meals; purpose of visit; satisfaction with facilities and services used or experienced while in Kiribati; tourist activities participated in; demographics; whether or not they would recommend Kiribati to friends and family and many others.

The survey managed to capture a total of 1405 responses with 1155 from Tarawa and 250 from Kiritimati.

Furthermore, the IVS 2019 was developed in partnership with the SPTO and funded by the European Union – Kiribati Cooperation. The SPTO also provided the iPads on which the questionnaires were loaded and also provided the training on the use of the iPads.

The data is being analysed in-house by the TAK Research & Statistics division.

The Report should provide insightful details into where Kiribati lies in terms of tourist satisfaction, comfort and safety and allow policy makers, the private sector and the communities to work together to fill the gaps identified in the survey for the benefit of both the locals and our visitors.

KIRIBATI TOURISM REVIEW 2019 RELEASED

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has released its first ever Tourism Sector Review for the year 2019 based on data collected by the Research and Statistics Division.

The report provides analysis on the international visitor figures and markets; purpose of visit, average length of stay; and also looks at yacht and cruise visitors. A look into a supply side provides figures on accommodations, employment, and inventory.

Key highlights of this report include:

  • 14% year on year (YOY) growth in international visitor arrivals in 2019 (business & leisure)
  • Increase in inbound flights into Kiribati
  • 11% increase in new beds (inventory)
  • Up to 450 direct employment created in this sector

TAK will continue with this annual review released every April.

A copy of the report can be downloaded from the Resource Centre of the TAK’s corporate website.