Uncategorized – Page 7 – Kaongora Newsletter

Kiribati goes into Level 3 Lockdown

January 23, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Kiribati is currently on COVID-19 Level 3 Alert lockdown following the Government of Kiribati’s announcement yesterday of 4 confirmed community cases in South Tarawa and Buota. This is following the announcement by the Office of Te Beretitenti on 19 January 2022 that 36 of the 54 passengers that arrived on the repatriation flight from Nadi, Fiji on 10 January 2022 had tested positive for COVID-19 as well .

Government has appealed to elders, church, island councils, community and youth leaders for their support and cooperation to protect and safeguard people’s and the nation’s health during this time. Government expressed that the only way to fight the virus is to be fully vaccinated and is urging all eligible citizens to complete their vaccination.

Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) officials are currently conducting contact tracing for the 4 additional cases and will issue further updates in due course.

The lockdown advise requires a 24-hour curfew for all residence. A 6am to 2pm movement exception is extended only to those that need to purchase of essential food items from within their local zones. All Government Offices and SOEs will be closed, and staffs will work remotely from home. Essential and emergency services however will remain open.

Outer island travel will only be allowed to those returning to Tarawa for health and medical reasons. All air and sea departures from Tarawa is currently suspended.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) reiterates the call from government on the need for all eligible citizens to complete their vaccination. TAK therefore urges tourism operators to encourage their staffs to be fully vaccinated and protect themselves from COVID-19.

All accommodation operators in Kiribati have received the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality COVID-19 safety protocol training and TAK is confident that these operators will ensure that the protocols are being activated given the current COVID-19 situation.

The TAK office will be closed from tomorrow, Monday 24 January until further notice. However, all staffs will be working remotely from home and will ensure that all communications are responded to on a timely manner.

TAK Begins 2022 Community Tourism Program

January 14, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) began its 2022 Community Tourism Program with a roadside and waterfront clean up along the Bonriki Causeway and Nawerewere on Saturday 08 January 2022.

Supported by the Minister of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC), Honourable Booti Nauan, the program also included participation from the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development (MELAD) and the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD), MTCIC, Nei Mom Uprising, The POSSIBILITY Network Group and the Nawerewere community. Refreshments were provided compliments of the Kiribati Islands Conservation Society (KICS).

A total of 80 bags of plastic and solid waste was collected through this initiative.

TAK hopes that the participation of local communities will help reinforce the message that tourism is everyone’s business, and that everyone has an important role to play for the safe, smart, and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

TAK will conduct similar programs on the first Saturday of every month and welcomes the support and participation of all government ministries, private sector operators, non-governmental organisation, civil societies, and local communities.

Kiribati border open to I-Kiribati nationals and essential TA’S only.

January 14, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Government of Kiribati reaffirmed that the country’s border reopening from 10 January 2022 is limited to Kiribati nationals and essential Technical Assistants (TA) only. Holiday and leisure travel by foreign nationals into Kiribati will remain closed and any amendment to this condition will be advised once approved.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement and acknowledges that this partial reopening takes the destination a step closer towards the organisations vision for a safe, smart, and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

The Kiribati COVID-19 Task-force in its press statement delivered on Tuesday 11th January 2022 emphasized that the opening of the borders will consider the “New Normal” travel conditions based on an updated travel Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Kiribati. All arrivals into Kiribati will be controlled through the major ports on South Tarawa.

The Taskforce further clarified that all inbound travellers will be thoroughly monitored, and passengers will be strictly checked before departure and upon arrival in Kiribati. All incoming passengers will be required to provide proof of vaccination, COVID-19 test results, and will be quarantined upon arrival. Extra quarantine days for travellers from high-risk countries will be imposed in line with updated travel SOPs to safeguard Kiribati from COVID-19.

The Taskforce confirmed that travellers from countries with active community transmissions of COVID-19 like Fiji and Australia, are required to be quarantined ten days before their departure and to be tested 48 hours before their flights. Upon arrival, these passengers will be tested again and quarantined for 14 days. Passengers who test positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to board inbound flights.

Inbound travellers from COVID-19 free countries like the Nauru and the Marshall Islands are also required to have their tests 48 hours before departure. Upon arrival, these passengers will be tested again by the medical team and required to spend 7 days in quarantine.

The Taskforce wishes to assure the public that the Government will strictly implement its new SOPs to ensure that Kiribati is safeguarded from COVID-19 and its new variants.

TAK conducts Eco-Tourism Consultation on Maiana Island

January 4, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority Kiribati (TAK) conducted follow up community eco-tourism consultations on Maiana Island, south of the country’s capital Tarawa from 08 – 18 December 2021.

Funded through the Least Developed Countries Fund’s (LDCF) project to enhance food security in the context of global climate change, this recent activity by TAK aimed to promote community based eco-tourism development on Maiana Island.

As a follow up consultation, this activity involved the education and promotion of community-based sustainable tourism initiatives including eco-tourism and agri-tourism amongst the island’s communities.

Maiana Island offers an excellent mix of niche experiences including saltwater fly fishing, cultural tours and TAK believes that concepts such as farm to table and nature-based tourism will complement the island’s existing niche products.

TAK concluded their activity on Maiana with their participation at the island’s cultural trade event where locals showcased their rich heritage through arts and craft, local cuisine, and traditional sports.

Kiribati hosts 2021 Tourism Restart Forum

December 14, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) officially opened its 2021 Kiribati Tourism Restart Forum with the theme Preparing Kiribati for a Safe, Smart and Sustainable Restart to Tourism today in South Tarawa, Tuesday 14 December.

The forum aims to create a platform where key local stakeholders can dialogue and engage with international travel and tourism experts on tourism border reopening priorities and to be informed of best practices for the resumption of international tourism in Kiribati.

Day 1 of this 2 days has been successful in bringing together government leaders and representatives, private sector, development partners, civil society, regional organisations, training institutions, faith-based organisation and local communities to dialogue and discuss tourism restart opportunities for Kiribati. As a hybrid event, the forum also includes international online participants.

In her address, Chief Guest and Minister for Employment & Human Resources, Honourable Taabeta Amuera Teakai acknowledged the work that the TAK has carried out since border closure in 2020. Hon. Teakai also applauded the Authority for its proactive approach to preparing the tourism industry for the new normal in tourism through its Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal.

A line-up of distinguished local and international experts in public health and safety, destination management, airline marketing, niche tourism, environment conversation and trade and investment are presenting at this event.

The Kiribati Tourism Restart Forum continues Wednesday 15 December, and virtual participation will be available through https://corporate.visitkiribati.travel/tourismforum/

COVID-19 Safety Protocol Training in Kiritimati

December 2, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in Kiritimati Island continued its the Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal training for accommodation providers, tour operators and fishing guides on the island throughout November 2021.

The training is based on COVD-19 safety protocols for the tourism and hospitality sector and is part of TAK’s tourism restart program as Kiribati prepares for border reopening in 2022.

To date, 85% of all tourism employees on the island have completed this training and the remaining 15% are scheduled to receive their training in December 2021.

Refresher training for these employees will be conducted once a definite border reopening date is set.

The program was developed through the Economic Recovery Grant program of the United States of America’s Embassy in Fiji’s.

Kiribati to host Tourism Forum

December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

In preparation for border re-opening in 2022, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) will host the Kiribati Tourism Restart Forum on 14 & 15 December 2021 with the theme Preparing Kiribati for a Safe, Smart and Sustainable Restart to Tourism.

The forum will bring together leaders and stakeholders in government, private sector, development partners, civil society, regional organisations, training institutions, and local communities.

TAK will also use the forum update its stakeholders on the organisation’s Tourism Restart Program which include COVID-19 tourism safety protocols, the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework, Digital Marketing Strategy, Tourism Investment Promotion and the Mauri Mark Program.

The forum will provide a platform for stakeholders to share ideas and experiences and to discuss suggested best practices for Kiribati to consider as it maps the way forward towards a SAFE, SMART & SUSTAINABLE RESTART to Tourism.

The event is also open to virtual participation and registration is now open on https://corporate.visitkiribati.travel/tourismforum/

Abemama hotels prepare for Tourism Restart

November 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAKI) conducted a one-week training on Customer Service, Basic Housekeeping and Hospitality, Revenue Management and Kiribati Tourism and Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal / COVID-19 Safety Protocols at the women’s center in Abemama.

The Tourism Restart training program is designed to help prepare tourism business operators for border reopening in January 2022.

Participants of the workshop included employees from the three hotels, Abemama Island Guesthouse, Green Eco-lodge, St. Anthony Parish Hotel and representatives from Reina Community and Ainen Wiikin Abemama Ecotourism Communities.

The program included the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all participating organisation, funded by the US Embassy’s Economic Recovery Grant.

Similar programs and training have been delivered in South Tarawa, North Tarawa, Abaiang, Butaritari, Marakei, Tab South, Tab North and Kiritimati. TAK will deliver the same training in the remaining islands of the Gilbert and Line Islands prior to border reopening.

TAK Supports Abemama ‘Tania ni Maeu’ By-law

November 30, 2021November 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in the Tania ni Maeu By-law consultation in Abemama in November 2021. Led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the Tania ni Maeu By-law is part of the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) project aims to assist Abemama sustain its resources from exploitation and envisages to regenerate and safeguard the natural and cultural resources of the island.

TAK used the consultation as an opportunity to highlight the benefits of ecotourism to Abemama communities and how the Tania ni Maeu By-law will help contribute to the sustainable development of tourism on the island.

The consultation also included representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Cooperative (MCIC), Ministry of Fisheries and Resources Development (MFRD), Ministry of Environment, Land & Agricultural Development (MELAD) and Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Abemama hotels undergo Business Fundamentals Training

November 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted the Tourism Business Fundamentals training for Abemama tourism operators on 23 November 2021 at the Green Eco Hotel in Kariatebike, Abemama.

The training is a response to the tourism business operators needs assessment survey conducted by earlier in 2021. Topics covered in the training included pre and post covid-19 trends in tourism, tourism product development and marketing, human resources management, and the importance of community engagement for tourism business operators.

Six (6) tourism operators participated in this one-day training workshop. These included Green Eco Hotel, Island Council Guesthouse, Terineraoi community in Reina Village, Baretoa village which supports ecotourism package. Saint Anthony Parish Hotel and Abatiku will undergo separate training in the coming days.

The Tourism Business Fundamentals training is part of TAK’s Tourism Restart Program, where TAK is preparing tourism operators for a smart and sustainable restart to tourism. Similar trainings will be conducted in the other islands in the Gilbert group and as well as Tabuaeran and Teraina in the Line Islands.

Tourism Authority Kiribati