Survey – Page 4 – Kaongora Newsletter

KIRIBATI 2019 IVS REPORT RELEASED

August 14, 2020 by Maaba Katirite

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

June 30, 2020 by Maaba Katirite

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

June 30, 2020 by Maaba Katirite

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 25^th 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

May 28, 2020 by Sarah Teetu Reymond

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.

TOURISM INCLUDED IN 2020 CENSUS

May 28, 2020 by Maaba Katirite

26^th May 2020: For the first time, the population of Kiribati will be asked for their views on tourism through the national census to be carried out later this year. This was made possible through the support of the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The tourism component of the 2020 Census questionnaire is aimed at obtaining people’s perception on tourism and their understanding on the current and possible benefits of tourism in their respective households and community.

The Research and Statistics division of TAK used the NSO 2020 Census Workshop at Antebuka on 11 May 2020 to update the population census enumerators with the tourism section of the survey and attended to questions raised by the enumerators.

TAK hopes that the census responses will provide greater insight into the communities’ perceptions of tourism. Such information will allow TAK to target awareness, training, and development projects to those communities that require them, particularly where greater understanding of tourism is minimal.

The 2020 National Census will commence on 7^th November 2020.

TAK Participates in the Integrated Vulnerability Assessment of Butaritari Island

March 30, 2020 by Maaba Katirite

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) was part of the World Health Organisation (WHO) funded Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (IVA) in Butaritari from 22-29 March 2020. The team visited all the villages to discuss and assess the vulnerability issues experienced by people and the main objective of the survey was to identify climate change challenges experienced by the local people of Butaritari.

The IVA team consisted of officers from different sectors of government including the Fisheries Division, the Agricultural Division, the Tourism Authority, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Environment and Conservation Division, Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Cooperation and the Kiribati Island Local Government Association (KILGA).

The team complete the IVA survey and also conducted their individual sector activities which will be incorporated into the final report of the IVA of Butaritari.

TAK conducted the Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) at the four accommodations collecting data and information on the services and facilities provided by these properties. The accommodations were The Santa Theresa Guesthouse (at the Vatican), the Island Council Guesthouse, Nei Tebon Guesthouse and the Sunset Lodge.

The TBIS was followed by the GPS mapping and plotting of these properties and other tourism-related sites (eg, shrines, historical monuments, churches, clinics). This will allow for the development of a detailed map which will serve as a travel guide to both locals and international visitors.

Buatritari island is very fertile and has an abundant fruits (especially bananas), vegetables and crops which are difficult to grow on other islands. Its people have a unique accent which is easily recognizable by all locals and most of the Butaritari guesthouses are made of traditional material with a few made of concrete.

The IVA concluded with a council meeting where the mayor, Te Kinati (Unimwaane or elderly men), clerk, island councilors and the IVA team discussed the outcomes of the assessment. TAK also had the opportunity to provide updates and recommendations on the preparations for the cruise ship arrival scheduled for the 05 November at Notururu islet previously known as Bikaati islet.

Nikunau Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (IVA) and Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS)

April 1, 2020March 30, 2020 by Maaba Katirite

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in the whole island approach-Integrated Vulnerability Assessment of Nikunau from 24 February – 04 Match 2020. The objective of the mission was to assess the vulnerabilities of the island and to collect IVA data of the impacts of climate change on the island of Nikunau. The program was coordinated by the Climate Change Office under the Office of the President and funded by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

A total of 6 villages were visited and as well as 2 communities in Nikumanu and 3 communities in Rungata.

The survey questions focused on the ecosystem, infrastructure, finance, human resources and institution or governance; forest health, coastal health, water security, security of place, energy security, income security, community health and food security. All responses were recorded in the fulcrum-based app on tablets supplied by the Office of te Beretitenti.

Whilst in the island, TAK staff officer undertook a Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) conducted on the island which involved the database update of accommodation providers on Nikunau and GPS (Global Positioning System) of accommodation, historical sites, churches and other points of interest in the island. The two accommodation providers in the island are the Catholic Parish Guesthouse and the KUC Tabutoa Guesthouse.

All information gathered will be used by TAK to help promote tourism development on the island.

Tourism Business Inventory Survey in North Tarawa

March 24, 2020 by Maaba Katirite

Tourism Survey at North Tarawa

Tourism Authority of Kiribati conducted the annual Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) of accommodations in North Tarawa on Thursday 19 March 2020.

The purpose of the survey was to collect and update information and data on facilities and services available in North Tarawa. The collected data is used to update TAK’s accommodation database which is a key source of accommodation information managed by the Research and Statistics Division.

Information and data collected from TBIS includes number of rooms, beds, staff count, facilities, amenities and activities provided by each property.

Nine (9) properties were surveyed on the day and they included the Ocean View Hotel, Moturerei Legend, Taborio Guesthouse, Eutan Buariki Guesthouse, Tarabuka Hideaway Guesthouse, Uaai Island Getaway, Tabuki Retreat, Santa Faustina Homestay and Tabon Te Keeke.

Surveyed properties range from locally built huts with open Kiakia (local raised house), meeting house (Maneaba) and concrete with local thatched roof.

The survey results showed that some properties had undertaken improvement works by providing more guest activities and upgraded/ renovated their rooms and Kiakia over the last 12 months.

North Tarawa properties are spread across the lagoon side of the atoll and have the comparative advantage of the beautiful lagoon views and its turquoise color and proximity to local communities.

TOURISM BUSINESS & INVENTORY SURVEY 2020: TBIS for South Tarawa conducted on 14-15 January 2020

January 25, 2020 by Maaba Katirite

The Research and Statistics team from TAK met with all accommodation providers on South Tarawa from January 14^th – 15^th to conduct the annual Tourism Business & Inventory Survey (TBIS). The TBIS collects and updates our database on the number of accommodations available, number of beds, staff training needs, along with the accommodation services, facilities and contact information.

Another key component of the TBIS is updating our images of the various properties so our promotional materials are as updated as possible with the latest pictures and information regarding any upgrades made over the past 12 months by the properties.

Over the coming weeks, the TBIS will be carried out in the outer islands of the Gilbert Group.

The TBIS methodology consists of one on one interviews with a senior hotel staff or the owner and taking photos of the rooms, common areas, facilities and extra features which, the properties feel that need promoting such as solar panels, gardens, non-motorized water activity equipment and others. The survey was conducted only on accommodations that provide housekeeping services as this fall under the definition of a ‘hotel’. Rental homes and apartments without regular housekeeping services were not surveyed.

Furthermore, this year is the first time a Climate Change and Biodiversity component has been added to our survey to gauge how the properties feel they are affected by climate change and also the measures they are taking to mitigate these impacts.

A total of 11 accommodation providers were surveyed on South Tarawa.

Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (IVA) visit to Beru Island

December 1, 2019 by Maaba Katirite

The IVA survey team conducted their survey on Beru Island on the 13 – 15 November 2019. The IVA team is made up of various Government ministries and NGO’s under the Kiribati National Expert Group (KNEG) including the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource Development (MFMRD), the water division under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE), the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), the Office of Te Beretitenti (OB), the Ministry of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs (MWYSSA) and the UNDP. This is the fifth time that TAK has joined the IVA team in carrying out their survey.

The main purpose of the survey is to identify key issues experienced by the local people in relation to the effects of climate change. The targeted group of the survey are the elderly men (Unimwane), women, youth and people with disabilities from each village.

The team also managed to conduct their own sector activities. All IVA team members were tasked to conduct their own sector activities in order to provide valuable and strong evidence on the effects of climate change experienced by the locals that would help fully equip the final IVA report that will be produced by the Office of Te Beretitenti.

The TAK conducted its Tourism Business & Inventory Survey (TBIS) at the two guesthouses – the catholic parish’s St Joseph’s guesthouse and Rongongo guesthouse, following up on the TBIS survey conducted in February of this year. Other potential tourist sites were plotted using GPS to develop a tourist map of the island.

The Catholic Parish is currently upgrading its guesthouse building, carrying out major renovations, while the Rongorongo guesthouse has its own Wi-Fi (24 hours internet) now. Seeing the two guesthouses and comparing their conditions from the last visit in February, there are improvements seen as there are more kiakia or buia (local open house) provided at the Catholic guesthouse while Rongorongo guesthouse has its own Wi-Fi.

There are also other sites being plotted that holds significant history which includes the old house located at the island council guesthouse compound (Commissioner’s house for the Southern islands during colonial times), the bombed areas at Rongorongo, the original house of Alfred Sadd – the missionary famously known for his bravery when he saluted the Union Jack (national flag of the United Kingdom) and folded it when told by the Japanese to walk on it.

One of Beru’s uniqueness is te bokaboka (literally translated as ‘the mud’), an edible alga that is still eaten today. The myth of te bokaboka is that an old woman by the name of Nei Tebanikarawa first discovered this rare alga. It was during the famine period in Beru, Nei Tebanikarawa dreamt about the edible algae, in her dream she was directed to the site where the algae can be found as well as steps for preparing it to be eaten. It was from her dream that this te bokaboka was first discovered and also found to be the most unique traditional food of the island. Te bokaboka is what distinguishes Beru Island from the rest of the Kiribati Islands as it is only be found in Beru Island at Taboiaki village on the southern part of Beru Island.

The trip was co-financed by the OB and UNDP.

Tourism Authority Kiribati