Uncategorized – Page 8 – Kaongora Newsletter

Ecotourism Business Consultation in Abemama

November 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) partnered with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC) to conduct ecotourism business consultation on Abemama Island from 22 – 27 November 2021.

Led by TAK Senior Marketing and Promotion Officer Sarah Reymond, the team conducted village and community ecotourism consultation, followed by the formulation of ecotourism business plans for selected communities on the island.

The ecotourism business plan development was supplemented by product development, pricing strategies, marketing and social media promotions and the Kiribati Mauri Mark standards training.

Participants expressed appreciation for the program and acknowledged that ecotourism has great potential for island communities.

Based on the business plans developed, these communities will work with TAK and MCIC to register their ecotourism businesses. They will continue to be guided as they work towards developing and launching their ecotourism products ahead of Kiribati’s international border reopening in 2022.

Betio commemorates WW2 78th Anniversary

November 20, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

Betio commemorates WW2 78^th Anniversary

Betio communities, in partnership with the Betio Town Council (BTC) and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) commemorated the 78^th anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa through a clean-up of World War 2 relics on the island of Betio, South Tarawa on 20 November 2021.

The Battle of Tarawa was fought on 20–23 November 1943 between the United States and Japan on Betio. It was part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts and was the first large-scale encounter between US Marines and Japan’s Special Naval Landing Forces.

The war relics on Betio hold a significant place in Kiribati’s history and they serve as a reminder of one of the bloodiest encounters in the US’s World War 2 campaign in the Pacific.

These relics are scattered throughout Betio and the clean up program included the relics in Takoronga, Temakin and Read Beach sites. In addition, the communities also undertook a thorough clean-up of the Japanese and Korean monuments on the island.

TAK is responsible for the management of all World War 2 relics across Kiribati and is working closely with communities and local authorities to develop sustainable means of preserving them.

Butaritari Island commemorates WW2 Anniversary

November 20, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The village of Ukiangang on the Island of Butaritari hosted Te Kaukinangananga, the 78^th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Makin (Butaritari) on Saturday 20 November 2021. The Battle of Makin was an engagement of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 20 to 24 November 1943, on Butaritari.

Led by the Mayor of Butaritari, Burantemwanoku Timon, the event began with a parade of students of Teinaura Primary School and members of Ukiangang community.

The lone survivor from the 1943, Mr. Aroua Kauriri gave an account of his recollections of those few days as a young boy. Mr. Kauriri added that “Ukiangang village had 5 bunkers during World War 2. At the height of the American attack on the Japanese in 1943, 1 of the bunkers housing Ikiribati nationals was blown up killing them all. This is why the villagers have put up a memorial shrine at the site to remember and honour the lives of the I-Kiribati lost on the day”. He added that the celebration is also a reminder of a part of Kiribati’s history that must never be forgotten.

Mayor Burantemwanoku added that Te Kaukinangananga is one of two annual World War 2 memorial events hosted on the island. The Butaritari Island Council is also working on its plan for a bigger commemoration event for the 80^th anniversary in 2023.

As cultural customary practices would require, the celebration also included traditional entertainment, a re-enactment of the World War 2 events and conclude with an island feast made up of a selection of fresh seafood, and fruits and vegetables which Butaritari is well regarded for.

The event was attended by representatives from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), Culture & Museum Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and an Outer Island Integrated Energy Roadmap Project team from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE).

TAK Supports Circular Economy Initiative

October 29, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) this week participated at the Bazaar, a circular economy initiative by the Environment Conservation Division (ECD) of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD).

Based on the theme of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover’, the Bazaar showcased how plastic, organic and other waste materials can be repurposed into valuable items such as jewelries, flower vase, door mats, and other decorative items. The Bazaar also promoted how natural waste such as tree branches. leaves and seaweed should be reused for domestic purposes such organic fertilizers.

TAK partnered with renown local artist Nei Tekarawa Kilifi who showcased repurposed plastic items that she crafted following her participation at the Kiribati Pacific Tourism Plastic Repurposing Training that was conducted on Tarawa in December 2020.

In January 2021, the Creative Tourism Network awarded TAK with the Best Strategy in Creative Tourism Development during the Creative Tourism Awards for its Pacific Tourism Plastic Repurposing Program. TAK is committed to continue its work in this aspect of the circular economy as it progresses towards strengthening sustainable tourism development across Kiribati.

TAK hosts Pinktober Awareness

October 29, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) completed the month of October by hosting a morning tea for its staffs to raise awareness on breast cancer on Friday 29 October 2022.

Every year in October, countries all around the world celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, known to many as “Pinktober.” There are many campaigns held by women’s health charities and community organizations that shed light on the prevailing issue and TAK has this year decided to do the same for its employees.

The event began with a breast cancer awareness presentation from the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS). This was followed by a presentation from I-Kiribati cancer survivor, Nei Lita Iabeta who’s first encounter with breast cancer began 23 years ago.

Nei Lita shared a personal account of her journey with breast cancer, highlighting the challenges she faced when first diagnosed, her experience with treatments and surgery and the support she received from her family and friends. She also expressed how her faith had a huge part to play throughout her experience. Whilst she has not been medically cleared of cancer, Nei Lita continues to live life to the fullest with a positive attitude and sharing her experience in the hope that it helps other women in her community.

In both presentations, TAK staffs were reminded of the importance of understanding the early detection and symptoms of breast cancer. The presenters also shared the value of a well-balanced diet and how an active lifestyle can also help reduce the impact of breast cancer.

The event concluded with a sumptuous morning tea themed to suit the occasion.

Mauri Mark Accommodation Standards for Kiritimati

October 28, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted its first awareness on the revamped Mauri Mark Accommodation Standards for accommodation providers in Kiritimati Island on Friday 22 October 2021.

Launched on World Tourism Day 2021, the revamped Mauri Mark program is Kiribati’s new rating system for tourism accommodation, restaurant & bars, small leisure crafts and activity/ tour operators. The program will involve the annual assessment of tourism businesses based on a set of pre-determined criteria and the subsequent allocation of rates based on scores achieved.

The awareness program in Kiritimati focused only on accommodation. Once accredited, Kiritimati hotels and lodges are encouraged to use their ratings as an indicator of quality standards of services. Ratings will also guide travellers when booking their accommodation on Kiritimati.

TAK Deputy CEO, Reeti Onorio highlighted during the training that accommodation providers will be required to satisfy all Mauri Mark criteria as a requirement under Tourism Act 2018 and that all rated hotels and lodges will be issued Mauri Mark rating certificates, electronic Mauri Mark badge and stickers for display within their premises.

The awareness program is part of the TAK’s tourism restart program and all registered accommodation providers will be assessed from January 2022.

New Commercial Complex opens in Kiritimati

October 26, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

Kiritimati Island’s newest commercial complex building was officially opened on Friday 15 October 2021 by the Honourable Mikarite Temari, Minister of Line and Phoenix Island (MLPID).

Owned by the Kiribati Provident Fund (KPF), the complex is a first of its kind on the island and boasts 30 rooms, 6 of which are apartments and 24 commercial lease space.

Also present at the event was a delegation from the capital city Tarawa including government ministers, development partners, government and state-owned enterprise officials and partner business owners.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) congratulates KPF for their investment on Kiritimati. TAK agrees that such a development will help enhance visitor shopping experience and will offer modern accommodation option for leisure and business travellers.

Kiritimati Island Mayor Supports Tourism Restart Program

September 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in Kiritimati also celebrated World Tourism Day on 27^th September 2021 at Linnix Compound in London, Kiritimati Island.

The event was attended by government representatives, Kiritimati tourism operators, and non-governmental organization representatives.

In his official address, chief guest, and Mayor of Kiritimati, Natua Teiti, highlighted the importance of the theme of World Tourism Day, “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”, and how stakeholders must work together to prepare Kiribati for the reopening of internal borders in January 2022.

Teiti added that the Government of Kiribati through TAK and supported by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), will be conducting COVID-19 protocol trainings to all tourism operators in October as part of the island’s border reopening program.

Mayor Teiti challenged and urged tourism operators in the Line Islands to work together in understanding and complying tourism safety protocols that have been developed by TAK.

Kiritimati is the world’s largest coral atoll and is a renowned fly fishing destination.

Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework Launched

October 6, 2021September 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) launched the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework (KSTDPF)during their UNWTO World Tourism Day celebration on Monday 27 September 2021.

In presenting the document, TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau shared that the KSTDPF frames Kiribati’s sustainable tourism goals with the aim to achieve a suitable balance between the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts of tourism to guarantee its long-term sustainability.

He added that the framework draws from the of aspirations of the Kiribati 20 Year Vision (KV20), the recommendations of the Pacific Sustainability Tourism Policy Framework 2021 (PSTPF), and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)/United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – Journey to 2030.

With 7 sustainable goals, the KSTDPF is integrated across other policy areas and discusses a set of priorities required to achieve each of these goals. It recommends that these priorities utilise Kiribati’s existing policies and legislations that address the core principles of environmental, socio-cultural, and economic development and to guide the ongoing development and management of tourism post COVID-19.

These goals include the commitment that tourism must protect the natural environment, it must preserve Kiribati’s cultural and historical heritage, promote community & social well-being, guarantee visitor satisfaction, health, and safety, contribute to national economic prosperity, inspire green entrepreneurship and to influence effective leadership.

The policy interventions recommended in the framework is consistent with existing international, regional, and national policies, strategies, and targets and is a result of extensive consultation and collaboration with key public and private sector partners in Kiribati and the region. These consultations have been important to the formulation of a set of priorities and action recommendations required to fulfil each of the 7 goals of the KSTDPF.

TAK believes the COVID-19 has presented Kiribati with the excellent opportunity for a smart and safe restart to tourism and that the goals and priorities of the framework will assist the organisation in helping fulfil its KV20 obligation for sustainable tourism development by 2036.

DOWNLOAD FRAMEWORK

Tourism Authority Kiribati