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The village of Ukiangang in Butaritari was brimming with excitement on October 25, 2023, as it hosted the passengers and crew of the MV National Geographic Resolution, which arrived on the island.

MV National Geographic Resolution is owned by Lindblad Bluewater II Ltd and carried 34 passengers and 103 crew members.

Visitors came ashore on zodiacs at Ukiangang Red Beach and were greeted by the Mayor, Clerk and Ukiangang village community of Butaritari. The cruise guests were transported to the community hall (Maneaba), where the entire village eagerly awaited to give them a warm welcome.
The atmosphere inside the Maneaba was alive with music, traditional dance performances, and guests dancing with the locals. Outside the Maneaba, guests were treated to a local culinary experience and a showcase on the importance of various parts of the coconut tree and how vital it is to the Kiribati way of life.

The event provided an opportunity for the villagers to promote sustainable tourism through guided tours to the unique mangroves of Butaritari, a WWII tour, and swimming and snorkelling at Bikati Islet Marine Protected Area.

In line with cruise visit, Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) made significant efforts to develop Community-Based Tourism on Butaritari. The initiative has played out well especially with the alignment of the cruise visit. This endeavour aims to harness the potential of tourism to benefit both the local community and for future of the cruise ships visitations to Butaritari. By aligning these efforts with cruise visits, Butaritari not only attracts tourists but also fosters a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship between visitors and the local community. This approach helps preserve the island’s unique character while contributing to its economic and social well-being.

The cruise also made stops in both North and South Tarawa on October 26, 2023. Passengers and crew members enjoyed a morning swim and snorkelling at Naa’s end (North Tarawa) and later the ship docked at Betio Wharf, where they were greeted and entertained by a local choir and traditional Kiribati dances.

While on South Tarawa, passengers and some crew members went on guided sightseeing and WWII tours hosted by three of the tour guide operators in Kiribati, while others explored the island on their own.

The leader of the expedition, Phillip Andrew Wolff, said that the trip to Butaritari and Roteariki Islet was an amazing experience and that they are very much looking forward to an opportunity to return in the future.

The ship departed from Betio Wharf in the afternoon and received a final farewell with traditional Kiribati dance performance and warm goodbyes from local tour operators, dancers and staff of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati.

Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives (MTCIC) Secretary, Mr. Ruui Tabutoa and Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) CEO, Petero Manufolau joined industry experts, scholars, partners, and friends in Papeete, French Polynesia on 16 & 17 October 2023 for the 2nd Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit.

The Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit 2023 brought together changemakers, sustainable tourism leaders, and advocates for community, cultural, and environmental well-being. Participants at the summit engaged in discussions and collaborations aimed at putting sustainability into action.

French Polynesia President and Minister responsible for tourism, His Excellency Moetai Brotherson in his official address highlighted that tourism was a crucial driver of economic growth and job creation in the Pacific nations. He added that “to ensure its effectiveness, sustainability is paramount, especially in the face of pandemics, global shocks and climate change.”

In officiating the event, TAK CEO and Pacific Tourism Organisation Chairman Petero Manufolau stated that the summit theme of “Co-creating Resilient Destinations,” represented a resounding call to action, signifying an unwavering commitment to strengthening the approach to sustainable tourism in the Pacific region.

He stated that the SPTO, along with contributions from Pacific nations and various stakeholders, had set the wheels in motion with the development of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework.

18 Pacific Island nations have publicly declared their commitment to sustainable tourism at the national level, demonstrating unity and foresight in pursuing a shared vision for sustainable tourism. Manufolau said that “this collective achievement recognizes the individual commitments made by all participants towards this vital cause.”

The 2-day event concluded with the launch of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Standards (PTSS). These standards will lead the way for innovative national sustainability standards, setting the bar for the tourism industry. It will provide guidance to destinations like Kiribati to work towards improved sustainability in their tourism sector.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) officially welcomed the reigning Miss Kiribati, Miss Moarube Teibaa as a Destination Ambassador. In this new role, Miss Kiribati will collaborate with TAK on tourism awareness, development, and promotional activities. A key focus of this partnership will be outreach to youths and encouraging their participation in all facets of tourism in Kiribati.

“We are thrilled to welcome Miss Kiribati as our new Destination Ambassador,” said Petero Manufolau, CEO of TAK. “She is a role model for young women in Kiribati, and we are confident that she will be a valuable contributor to our work to promote Kiribati as a sustainable and desirable tourism destination.”

As Destination Ambassador, Miss Kiribati will work with TAK in its tourism awareness, development, and destination promotion activities.

“I am honored to be appointed as the Tourism Authority of Kiribati’s Destination Ambassador,” said Miss Kiribati. “I am excited and look forward to working with TAK to promote our beautiful country and to encourage young people to get involved in the tourism industry.”

TAK believes that this partnership with Miss Kiribati will help to raise awareness of Kiribati as a tourism destination and to encourage more young people to participate in the industry. The organization is committed to working with Miss Kiribati to make Kiribati a more sustainable and inclusive tourism destination for all.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) today celebrated World Tourism Day 2023 by confirming three environmentally sustainable commitments that the organization will adopt. The commitments, which focus on solid waste management, energy conservation, and small-scale organic farming practices, are aligned with the 2023 World Tourism Day theme of “Tourism and Green Investment” and as well as the organisation’s commitment to the Glasgow Declaration.

In making these commitments, TAK aims to take action on sustainability ahead of the launch of the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Policy and Action Plan in November. The organization believes that it is important to lead by example and demonstrate its commitment to environmental protection.

“We are excited to celebrate World Tourism Day 2023 by announcing these three environmentally sustainable commitments,” said Petero Manufolau, CEO of TAK. “We believe that tourism can be a powerful force for good, and we are committed to ensuring that our industry develops in a way that is sustainable and benefits both our people and our planet.”

TAK will implement a comprehensive organisation solid waste management plan to reduce and properly dispose of waste it generates. This will include measures to reduce waste production, increase recycling and composting rates, and improve waste collection and disposal practices.

The organisation will also implement energy efficiency measures in its Tarawa and Kiritimati Island offices. The organization will also work with its tourism partners to promote energy conservation practices.

To promote small-scale organic farming practices amongst tourism operators, TAK launched its own backyard gardening program using composting food cubes . Whilst it may be small scale, TAK believes that such initiatives, when adopted across the tourism sector has the potential to enhance visitor experiences and improve profitability for Kiribati tourism business operators.

TAK is confident that these commitments will help to make Kiribati a more sustainable tourism destination. The organization understand that it needs to lead by example and is committed to working with its partners to ensure that Kiribati becomes the future for sustainable tourism and green investment.