Tourism Authority Kiribati

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TAK CONDUCTS TOURISM SURVEYS ON ARORAE ISLAND FOR THE FIRST TIME

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), through its Research and Statistics Division, has successfully carried out its first-ever Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS), Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS), and Cultural Attractions Mapping on Arorae Island.  Arorae Island is the furthest island in located in Southern Gilbert Group of Kiribati.

The TBIS identified two operational accommodations on the island – the Arorae Island Council Guesthouse and Te Baba n Aine Guesthouse in Tamaroa. Together, these facilities provide a total of nine available rooms: five at the Arorae Island Council Guesthouse and four at Te Baba n Aine Guesthouse. The survey also revealed that three women are currently employed in the tourism sector – two at Te Baba n Aine Guesthouse and one at the Island Council Guesthouse.

The OIPS collected valuable insights from local residents on their perceptions of tourism, including the environmental, socio-economic, and cultural benefits they have experienced. It also identified attractions that locals believe hold strong potential to attract visitors to Arorae.

In addition, the mapping of cultural and natural attractions highlighted several key sites of interest, including historical landmarks and frigate bird feeding sites, locally known as “Te Kai n Tiku.”

TAK extends its sincere appreciation to the Arorae Unimwane (Tabwakeauea), the Island Council Mayor, Acting Clerk, KUC Church Minister, and the Arorae community for their warm support, cooperation, and teamwork with the TAK team throughout the surveys.

KIRIBATI TOURISM NEARS 10,000 VISITOR MILESTONE- A RECORD YEAR FOR THE INDUSTRY.

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) proudly announces a remarkable achievement for the country’s tourism industry. For the first time, Kiribati recorded a total of 9,504 visitor arrivals in 2024, marking a significant milestone as the destination moves closer to the 10,000-visitor benchmark.

The 2024 Annual Tourism Review presents a comprehensive overview of Kiribati’s tourism performance, capturing key data on visitor arrivals and departures, purpose of visit, nationality, and monthly trends. The report also examines domestic travel patterns by sea and air, visitation to the Kiribati Museum, and insights into the tourism supply chain across the islands. In addition, it highlights cruise passenger numbers, yacht arrivals, and tourism intensity rates resulting from the increase in visitor arrivals.

 Key Highlights

  • Pacific countries emerged as the leading source market in 2024, contributing 30% of total arrivals.
  • Australia and the United States followed closely, each representing 18% of arrivals.
  • Corporate travel remained the primary purpose of the visit, particularly among Pacific and Australian nationals.
  • The United States continued to lead as the top source market for fishing tourism in Kiritimati.

 Growth in Accommodation and Tourism Supply

Kiribati’s accommodation sector also experienced notable growth, expanding from 69 establishments in 2023 to 74 in 2024. This growth includes a 7% increase in rooms, 8% increase in beds, and an 11% increase in tourism employment.

Although the number of accommodation establishments in South Tarawa, the capital, remains constant, the number of available rooms rose by 20%.

New developments include three establishments in North Tarawa, one in Makin, and one in Butaritari, reflecting continued investment in the country’s tourism infrastructure.

Domestic Travel Trends

Domestic travel data shows a 12% increase in air travel and a 6% decrease in sea travel compared to 2023, highlighting a shift in travel preferences among residents and local travellers. For full details of the report, please click here. Kiribati Tourism Review 2024

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati extends its sincere appreciation to the following partners for their invaluable support and contribution to this report: Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), Air Kiribati Limited, Marine Guard, Immigration Department, Shipping Agencies of Kiribati, Kiribati Customs Office, and all tourism operators and accommodation providers who supplied data for the 2024 review.

Exploring Tourism in Nikunau: Local Perspectives & Accommodations Survey

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its annual Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) and Outer Island Perception Survey (OIPS) in Nikunau. This marks the first time TAK has conducted the OIPS on the island. The survey was carried out by TAK’s Research and Statistics Division team.

The primary purpose of the TBIS is to update the national accommodation database with key details such as contact information, room count, staff numbers, available services, and facilities. Meanwhile, the OIPS gathers local perspectives on tourism, its impact on the community, and potential areas for sustainable development. The surveys took place from Monday, 12th June to Sunday, 18th June 2025.

TBIS results indicate that only two accommodations are currently operating on the island: Neineinimatang Island Bungalow and Rose Island Bungalow. The Island Council Guesthouse and Santa Maria Guesthouse are closed this quarter.

The survey results further show that the total number of available accommodations remains unchanged, with two properties offering 10 beds and employing the same number of staff. This quarter, only buia (local unit) is available.

The number of female employees increased by 25%, while male employees declined by 33%. Additionally, six staff members received training through Mauri Way Training Program, while some have also earned certificates from previous hospitality trainings with MTC (Marine Training Centre) and KIT (Kiribati Institute of Technology. This demonstrates that Nikunau has local capacity for tourism development, though more trained individuals are needed.

The Nikunau OIPS gathered insights from 10% of households on the island, assessing tourism’s environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impact. It also collected community opinions on unique locations that could be developed for sustainable tourism. The OIPS results will provide deeper insights into tourism’s role in Nikunau’s future and will be shared once the report is finalized later this year.

TAK conducts a Tourism Business Inventory Survey on Butaritari

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is proud to announce the successful completion of its annual Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) in Butaritari conducted by the Research and Statistics Unit. The primary purpose of this survey is to update the Kiribati Accommodation Database with key information, including contact details, number of employees, services offered, and available facilities, among others. The survey took place from April 6th to 8th, 2025.

The results indicate that only three accommodations are currently available on the island: Atinibwaan Iesu Parish Bungalows, Isles Sunset Lodge, and a newly established property, Nemat Resort.

In the previous year, four accommodations were in operation, providing a total of 43 rooms, 43 beds, and employing 46 staff members (22 women and 24 men). However, this year the survey recorded only three accommodations in operation, offering 26 rooms, 46 beds, and employing 17 staff members. This reflects a notable decline in both available accommodations and workforce compared to the last reporting period for Butaritari.

Additionally, three other accommodations were not included in the survey, as they are currently undergoing renovations or require significant maintenance. These properties include TKK Guesthouse, Island Council Guesthouse, and Lismore Motel.
The survey also highlights the urgent need to develop more accommodation facilities on the island and enhance staff training through TAK’s ‘Mauri way’ Hospitality & Customer service training program, and to encourage the creation of locally designed tourism packages.

TAK sincerely thanks the tourism operators in Butaritari for their valuable input and support in this survey.

Empowering Tourism: Unveiling Kiribati’s Business Confidence Insights

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati, in collaboration with the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), has released its first-ever Kiribati Business Confidence Index (BCI) Report. The report is based on a month-long survey conducted from October 1st to October 31st, capturing the views of local businesses on the impact and benefits of tourism in Kiribati. This comprehensive survey provides a valuable snapshot of the current business climate and offers insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by the tourism sector in Kiribati.

This marks the first time Kiribati has sought the perspectives of local businesses, making it the inaugural BCI report. In the past, Kiribati has gathered insights from international visitors through the International Visitor Survey and has also sought the views of residents. This year, through the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) project coordinated by the SPTO, Kiribati has successfully collected insights from local businesses regarding the tourism sector.

The report highlights several key findings. An overwhelming majority of businesses (82%) expressed a need for customer service training and business growth education, reflecting a keen interest in enhancing their service delivery and expanding operations. Additionally, 12% also mentioned that improved in internet connectivity is also major opportunities for their business.
Improved customer service and natural attractions were also cited as significant opportunities, each garnering interest from 11% of respondents. The importance of networking was equally highlighted, suggesting that businesses see value in building stronger connections within the tourism sector.

The report reveals a broad agreement among businesses, many of whom acknowledge that tourism is a key driver of the Kiribati economy. This consensus highlights the pivotal role tourism plays in supporting local businesses and boosting regional economic growth.

The report also highlights the impact of COVID-19 on businesses. Interestingly, it shows that the majority, 31%, were not significantly affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. This finding underscores the resilience of many local businesses during the pandemic.

Overall, the Kiribati BCI Report serves as a crucial tool for policymakers, stakeholders, and investors. It not only highlights the current state of the tourism industry in Kiribati but also points to the areas where interventions and support can drive growth and sustainability. As Kiribati continues to develop its tourism offerings, the insights from this report will be instrumental in shaping strategies that enhance the sector’s contributions to the national economy and improve the livelihoods of local communities.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the Pacific Tourism Organisation and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, cooperatives, and local businesses in Kiribati for their unwavering support throughout the duration of the survey. Your collaboration and dedication have been instrumental in the successful completion of this significant initiative. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to the advancement of tourism in Kiribati.

You can view the Kiribati BCI report here

Kiribati Tourism Industry Review 2023

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In 2023, Kiribati experienced and welcomed its first resumption of tourism & travel arrivals marking the arrival of cruise ships after the border closure since the COVID-19 period. A total of 5118 cruise passengers were welcomed in Kiribati for the first time after the COVID-19 lockdown.

The first part of the report highlights important events and key activities that TAK has accomplished which ranged from the establishment of the sustainable tourism policy, preparations for cruise ship arrivals, and TAK’s participation in regional and international expos.

The reports also captured the increase in international arrivals to Kiribati when compared to the previous year 2022. An increase of 364% which doubled the international arrival figure in 2022.

This increase was caused by the resumption of regular flights to Kiribati from Fiji Airways and Nauru Airlines. The reports also provide an average length of stay by purpose of visit and by nationality which shows which country spends more nights in Kiribati. Corporate visitors stayed the longest with 15 nights.

Domestic tourism travel by sea increased by 25% when compared to 2022 marine travel while domestic travel by air also decreased by 5%.

The report further provides the number of visitors visiting the Museum and the main purpose of their visits.
The growth in tourism supply was also stated in the reports with a breakdown of the number of female staff and male staff currently working at accommodations in Kiribati.

TAK continued to give its acknowledgement to the following Ministries and companies for their continued support and contributions to the report, Air Kiribati Limited; the Marine Guard; the Immigration department, Shipping Agencies of Kiribati, Kiribati Customs Office and the tourism operators and accommodations that supplied data for the purpose of this report.

You can view the full report here

Quarter 2 2024 Tourism Review in Kiribati

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati has released its Quarter 2 Tourism Industry Review for 2024, showcasing significant growth. The report highlights a 12% increase in international visitors compared to the same period in 2023, totalling 2,287 visitors. However, this marks a 6% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2024. Visitors from the Pacific Islands led with 28%, followed by Australia at 21% and the USA at 19%. Corporate travel was the primary reason for international arrivals, accounting for 41% of the total, while leisure travel made up 28%.

Domestic air travel within Kiribati showed a strong upward trend, with Abemama, Marakei, and Abaiang being the top most visited islands. Despite no yacht arrivals in June, the quarter recorded five yachts, indicating sustained international interest.

Marine passenger travel saw a slight decrease, with 9,663 passengers recorded, down by 3% from the previous quarter. Abaiang Island had the highest number of marine passengers, followed by North Tarawa and Maiana. Museum visits surged dramatically, with 629 visitors representing a 71% increase compared to the previous quarter (quarter 1 2024).

Accommodation facilities remained stable, with 73 hotels operating across the islands. North Tarawa had the highest number of accommodations, followed by South Tarawa and Kiritimati Island. A total of 721 rooms and 1,384 beds were available, with a significant share in the Gilberts Group.

TAK extends its appreciation to Air Kiribati Ltd, the Marine Guard Division, the Immigration Department, Te Umwanibong Cultural Museum, the Kiribati Customs Administration and Enforcement, and local tourism operators for their invaluable contributions to this comprehensive assessment of Kiribati’s tourism sector.

You may find the reports here.

Kiribati International Visitor Survey Unveils Insights: Culture, Friendliness, and Unique Experiences Draw Tourists

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The Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) has released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey (IVS) for the period January to June 2024. The survey offers valuable insights into the profiles, preferences, and satisfaction levels of international visitors, contributing to a better understanding of the Kiribati tourism industry.

Key highlights from the report reveal that most visitors to Kiribati came from Australia (36%), Fiji (17%), and New Zealand (13%). The average visitor was aged between 45 and 54 years, with household incomes ranging from USD65,000 to USD115,000. Business travel was the main purpose for visiting Kiribati, accounting for 40% of the total, while 18% visited for holidays and 11% to see friends or relatives.

Visitors spent an average of 7 nights in Kiribati, with South Tarawa (63%) and North Tarawa (31%) being the most popular destinations. Pre-paid spending by visitors averaged between USD1,000 and USD1,499 per trip, with 41% of this allocated to international flights. On-island spending was largely directed toward accommodation, food and beverage, and domestic travel.

Visitor satisfaction was high, with the friendliness of the I-Kiribati people, airport services, and overall service quality receiving the best ratings. However, the survey also highlighted areas needing improvement, including accommodations, infrastructure, and the cleanliness of the environment. Despite these challenges, a majority of visitors expressed their willingness to return and recommend Kiribati as a travel destination.

The IVS was made possible through the support of the Pacific Tourism Development Initiative (PTDI), led by the SPTO Research Team, with generous funding from the New Zealand Government.

TAK also acknowledges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), particularly its Immigration Division, for their assistance in providing the visitor email database, enabling the IVS to be distributed through email invitations.

The Kiribati IVS is an ongoing survey, and the next report will be the Kiribati IVS 2024 Report which will cover the months of January – December 2024.

A special thanks to all the visitors who have shared their valuable insights, which have significantly enriched this report.

You may access the report here.

SPTO Releases Findings of the Kiribati Community Attitude Survey 2024

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The Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) has officially released the results of the Kiribati Community Attitudes Survey (CAS) 2024, a comprehensive study designed to capture the perceptions of residents on tourism’s impacts. The annual survey, conducted from July to August 2024, aimed to understand how communities in Kiribati experience tourism and their views on better preparing for its future impacts.

Responses were gathered via both paper-based and online survey links across South Tarawa, Kiritimati, and Nonouti Island, yielding 271 valid responses from the 293 received. 98% of participants were I-Kiribati, with 67% having never lived overseas, reflecting a strong local perspective. The majority of responses (92%) came from the Gilbert Islands group, primarily from South Tarawa, while Kiritimati recorded the most responses in the Line group with 8%.

The findings highlighted strong support for tourism, with 100% of respondents from five islands with the most responses, excluding South Tarawa (92%), agreeing that tourism benefits Kiribati. However, concerns were raised about island cleanliness and limited accommodation availability, particularly from those who believed fewer tourists would be more manageable. There were also significantly different opinions between the genders, with more men (90%) than women (78%) supporting an increase in tourist numbers.

TAK would like to acknowledge the support from SPTO for analyzing the report, and the assistance from the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs (MCIA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives (MTCIC). Special thanks are also given to the New Zealand Government for its ongoing support of tourism development efforts in the region.

The survey culminated in a prize draw held during World Tourism Day on 27 September 2024, offering participants a chance to win a prize as part of the event’s celebration.

TAK would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the residents who participated in the survey. Your valuable input has played a crucial role in shaping the future of tourism in Kiribati.

You may access the report here.

Q4 Tourism Review 2023

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati has released its Quarter 4 2023 Tourism Industry Review. The reports focus on international arrivals, domestic tourism data, and other tourism-relevant data. It compares the Q4 international visitor arrivals with Q4 2019, showing the progress after the covid19.

When comparing the Q4 2019 and Q4 2023 visitor arrivals, Kiribati has received an increase in the number of visitors visiting Kiribati, an increase of 20%, due to the frequent flight to Tarawa. This has indicated a steady influx into Kiribati, however, in this quarter a drop in the number of visitors experienced, a drop of 12% when comparing it with Q3 2023.

The top source markets for this quarter were Pacific islanders 31% (721) followed by Australia 14% (329) and USA 13% (290). A new emerging market for this quarter was Other Asian countries with 9% (206) visitors.

Most visitors to Kiribati came for both business and pleasure, with Pacific nationals primarily visiting for work, while visitors from the USA and New Zealand topped the list for leisure purposes.

The report also highlights the trends in the tourism supply, domestic tourism travel, and museum visitation data to name a few which contribute to enhancing the understanding of the tourism current status.

An interesting and most captivating change in visitor trends in Q4 2023 was an increase in the average length of stay for religious visitors when compared to previous quarters. These religious visitors spend 20.7 nights which is higher than the night spend by visitors who came for other purpose of visits.

TAK would like to express its appreciation to Air Kiribati Limited, Marine Guard Division, Immigration Department, Te Umwanibong, Kiribati Customs Office, Shipping Agencies of Kiribati (SAOK), Kiribati National Statistics Office (KNSO) and Tourism operators. Their collaboration and support have been instrumental in gathering relevant data and insights, making this report a comprehensive and robust assessment of the tourism sector in Kiribati.