Travel Information – Kaongora Newsletter

Kiribati Border Reopening to Reinvigorate Tourism.

August 1, 2022 by Maaba Katirite

The Kiribati border reopening from Monday 01 August 2022 is expected to revive the nation’s tourism sector since its international border closure in March 2020, due to the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Deputy CEO, Reeti Onorio says “Kiribati’s international border closure of 2 years and 4 months has had devastating impact of tourism operators across the destination but there is optimism for a sustainable return to normalcy as we begin welcoming visitors from August 2022’.

Local tourism operator and owner of Terau Beach Bungalows Abaiang, Tiinai Kaboua shares the same sentiments and says that she is very excited that Kiribati borders are finally open. She added, “I cannot wait to meet our guest and share our culture with them. I’m just excited that business will be back to normal.”

Mary’s Motel Supervisor Teretia Teitiaki said “the past few years has been a struggle as we could not operate as per normal, but we are happy and excited that Kiribati borders are finally open, as we are now able to have our staff work full time. Now, we are fully booked with visitors coming to Kiribati for work”.

Flights to Kiribati will begin with a weekly Fiji Airways service from Nadi to Tarawa whilst regional carrier Solomon Airlines will operate a fortnightly service from Brisbane (via Honiara) in August and September which will be amended to a weekly service from 01 October 2022. Nadi and Honiara will serve as connecting hubs from key source markets of Australia, New Zealand, North America and Asia Direct weekly flights from Honolulu and Nadi to Kiribati’s second international port, Kiritimati is expected to begin later in the year.

To ease travel to Kiribati, the Government of Kiribati has removed its pre-departure COVID-19 test and quarantine requirement upon arrival. However, travellers must be fully vaccinated and will be required to undertake a COVID-19 clinic test within 3 days of arrival.

International travel to Kiribati to begin 01 August 2022

June 18, 2022 by Maaba Katirite

The Government of Kiribati, through the Office of Te Beretitenti today announced that all international travel to and from Kiribati will return to normal on the 1st of August, 2022.

This official announcement also confirmed that the Government of Kiribati has reduced the compulsory in-country quarantine days for all travelers from seven (7) to three (3) days.

The announcement follows the Government of Kiribati’s confirmation that the country’s COVID-19 Alert Level has been reduced from 3b to 3c and it has relaxed the SOP guidelines currently being practiced as part of Kiribati’s preventive measures against COVID-19.

The New Public Health Order was effective from Friday 17th of June, 2022 and will remain for two weeks as the curfew hours have ceased for all islands that are infected by COVID-19.

Furthermore, inter-island travel will still be subject to the availability of quarantine centres on islands that are COVID-19 free.

Despite the relaxation of some of the SOP guidelines, the Government appeals to the general public to continue practicing health safety measures such as wearing masks in public and the continuation of handwashing to help stop the spread of the virus. The public is encouraged to visit clinics to receive vaccination and booster, 5 months after receiving second dose.

As of this week, the administration of the Pfizer vaccine for youths between the age of 12 and 17 years has commenced in South Tarawa and Betio. Parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure all their children are fully vaccinated to ensure the safety and well-being of their children and the general public.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati will share the full details of Kiribati’s August border reopening conditions in the coming days.

TAK begins development of Mauri Way Programme

May 5, 2022April 29, 2022 by Maaba Katirite

Mauri is Kiribati for hello. As a greeting word, Mauri can also be adjusted to suit the situation such as Kam na bane ni Mauri, Ko Na Mauri, Mauri riki or the more casual and loud Mauri Mauri! However it is called out, Mauri epitomises the essence of the traditional Kiribati hospitality and when expressed, represents a feeling of genuine welcome, care and an assurance of safety to the person it is being expressed to.

To this effect, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is pleased to announce that it has officially commenced work on the development of the Kiribati Mauri Way Customer Service Programme in partnership with the Aotearoa New Zealand Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA).

The Mauri Way will be the Kiribati Tourism and Hospitality Customer Service guide that embraces the Kiribati style of hospitality and culture, and rooted in the traditional blessings of Te Mauri, Te Raoi and Te Tabomoa.

Through this collaboration with VSA, TAK has engaged customer service experts Ms. Anna Stevens and Mr Dominick William Valentine Coppinger to guide TAK on the development of the program and implement a comprehensive industry wide Mauri Way customer service training. This will be complimented with an online customer service training portal to be accessible to all tourism and hospitality business operators across Kiribati.

Once completed and implemented, the Mauri Way program has the potential the improve the quality of tourism and hospitality customer service delivery in Kiribati and will prepare the destination for an exciting restart to tourism when its international borders reopen.

Kiribati extends border closure

March 15, 2021 by Maaba Katirite

The Government of Kiribati has officially declared a further extension of its border closure in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This new extension will remain effective until the end of June 2021 when another review is expected to take place for further determination of Kiribati’s border settings.

During this extension period, special approvals can be obtained for humanitarian flights to transport essential equipment, medical supplies and for the conduct of medevac operations.

Government’s Repatriation Taskforce that oversees the repatriation of Kiribati nationals abroad will continue to plan and facilitate repatriation exercises to bring back all I-Kiribati stranded. The Taskforce is also coordinating with relevant Ministries to mobilize Kiribati students to commence their studies at tertiary level in Fiji alongside key workers and other members of the travelling public.

Standard Operational Procedures that seek to safeguard the public from the potential entry and transmission of COVID-19 will remain in force for all incoming travellers including a mandatory quarantine of 14 days at the Government-designated facility on South Tarawa. This has proven helpful to the Government’s effort to maintain Kiribati’s COVID-19 free status.

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 the dedicated service of all frontline workers and all who are involved in the success of repatriations to date 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.

Kiribati Extends Border Closure to End of February 2021

February 3, 2021January 13, 2021 by George Kumkee

The Government of Kiribati has officially declared a further extension of its border closure in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Government advises that this extension will remain effective until the end of February 2021 where it will be further reviewed. Special approval is required for humanitarian flights to transport essential equipment, medical supplies, and medevac operations.

In addition, Kiribati nationals travelling back on government arranged repatriation flights can enter Kiribati. A Repatriation Taskforce setup by Cabinet has been planning recent repatriation exercises to bring back all I-Kiribati stranded overseas since November last year.

The Taskforce is currently working with partners and neighbouring countries to repatriate remaining stranded nationals and Seafarers who have been affected by the border closures as a result of the pandemic.

The undertaking is being conducted in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures that seek to safeguard the public from the potential entry and transmission of COVID-19. All repatriated nationals would be required to undergo mandatory quarantine at a Government-designated facility on South Tarawa.
Throughout the repatriation period, Kiribati borders will remain closed to foreign nationals unless specific directions are given to enable critical and lifesaving operations and activities in Kiribati. During the border closure, the provision of medical supplies and cargoes will continue under the established COVID-19 safety procedures and protocols to ensure necessary support to strengthen the national health system and to support the needs of the people.

The Government 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. (source: Office of Te Beretitenti)

New Resort opens in Buariki, North Tarawa

December 1, 2020November 30, 2020 by Maaba Katirite

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is delighted to announce the opening of the NEMAT Resort in BUARIKI, North Tarawa from 01 December 2020.

Management says that the resort is ideal for getaways, gatherings & parties, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

Situated on a stretch of brilliant white sandy beach overlooking the turquoise lagoon, the property features both contemporary & locally designed houses/huts and buias with two Maneaba. For group travel, the resort can accommodate a maximum of 70 guests.

Services include a bar, café, and 24 hours restaurant services whilst the traditional beach umbrella and beach lounges offer the ideal spot for a quiet retreat. Complimentary kayaks, guitars and ukuleles are also available onsite and the beach volleyball court is perfect for team building activities.

Transportation including waauowa & speedboat is also available for pickups from and drop offs to South Tarawa. Bookings can be made by telephone on 73041868 or via email at nematkiribati@gmail.com

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.

17/03/20 UPDATE – KIRIBATI HEALTH TRAVEL ADVISORY & RESTRICTIONS IN RELATION TO THE 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID -2019)

March 30, 2020March 17, 2020 by George Kumkee

All travellers FROM and TO KIRIBATI (Tarawa and Kiritimati) are advised to take note of the following:

Citizens and residents of Kiribati who are planning to travel to areas and territories in countries with sustained transmission are recommended to avoid non-essential travel.
In the event that travel cannot be postponed; preventive measures should be adhered to at all times.
In case of symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory illness before travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and advise about travel restrictions.
In case of symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory illness during and after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share travel history with health care providers.
A Health Arrival Form is to be filled out by all incoming travelers upon arrival to Kiribati through Tarawa and Kiritimati.
All incoming international travelers will be subjected to temperature check upon arrival to the international airports and seaports in Kiribati.
All Travelers from areas and territories in countries with local transmission11 of novel coronavirus must spend 14 days2 in a country free of the COVID-2019, and to provide a medical clearance after the 14 days to confirm and/or prove this coronavirus free status. Exemptions for medical clearance can be considered for transit passengers and those who come from the Countries NOT listed in this travel health advisory (THA).
In the event that travelers arrive earlier than the required 14-day-period, health quarantine measures may be applied and deportation to the country of travel origin would be considered depending on the health status of the individual.
Such travel advisory applies to all travelers including returning residents as the country has highly vulnerable group (high incidence of NCDs) of COVID-19 and also the absence or limited capacity of clinical management and ability to contain the virus if introduce.
The 14 days quarantine implies that traveling can only be on the 15th day onwards
Exemptions for medical clearance can be considered for transit passengers that are coming from the Countries NOT listed in this health travel advisory (HTA).
In the event that travelers arrive earlier than the required 14-day period, health quarantine measures may be applied and deportation to the country of travel origin would be considered, depending on the health status of the individual.
Such travel advisory applies to all travelers including returning residents as the country has highly vulnerable group (high incidence of NCDs) of COVID-19 and also the absence or limited capacity of clinical management and ability to contain the virus if introduced.

THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL COME INTO FORCE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
All travelers are required to comply with the required preventive measures.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

At all times:

Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections
People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing and wash hands)
Avoid contact with animals (alive or dead), visiting animal markets, and purchasing products thatcome from animals (such as uncooked meat).
Wash hands often with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol- based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Older travelers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to affect areas and territories with their health care provider.
In order to minimize the risk of transmission, people travelling to the affected area should maintain good hand and personal hygiene.
Travelers should seek medical attention if they develop respiratory symptoms within 14 days if visiting any other affected countries or countries with local transmissions, informing their health
service prior to their attendance about their recent travel to the affected country.
Self-Quarantine at home to minimize spread of infection

These measures are being undertaken to protect Kiribati from the introduction of this infection into our communities.

For more information contact Mrs Kaaro Neeti (Secretary, MHMS) on (686) 74028100 extension 202; or (686) 73072357 or Director of Public Health 73058772, or Deputy Director of Public Health 73007258

In updates on Confirmed Countries with COVID 19:

According to WHO there are 159 countries, areas or territories with confirmed cases. From the 159 countries, territories and areas, 82 countries have been confirmed for local transmission cases of the COVID19:

You can also click on WHO (COVID-19) Situation map link below for world updates: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd

Tourism Authority Kiribati