Tourism Authority Kiribati

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New Commercial Complex opens in Kiritimati

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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

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in Kiritimati also celebrated World Tourism Day on 27th 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

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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

TAK Launches 3-Year Digital Marketing Strategy

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) launched 3-year digital marketing strategy during their World Tourism Day celebration on Monday 27 September 2021.

In her presentation, Senior Tourism Marketing officer, Ms. Sarah Teetu shared that the aim of the 3-year strategy is to implement effective destination marketing and promotion initiatives and position Kiribati as the leading emerging Island destination of the Pacific.  The formulation of the strategy was guided by the Tourism Authority’s Strategic Plan, the Kiribati Tourism and Hospitality protocols for the New Normal and the 2019 International Visitors Survey report.  The plan envisions to help influence economic growth, social development, and environmental well-being in Kiribati through sustainable tourism.

The strategy has been designed to be both flexible and sustainable- while delivering further growth in international tourism. Ms. Teetu expressed that the strategy will support the industry across all the Islands of Kiribati and help address the issues of capacity and influence the delivery of memorable visitor experience. She added that the strategy is built on a set of sustainable destination digital marketing principles.

TAK acknowledged the technical assistance provided by Gold Cost based digital marketing expert, Ms Kylie Peterson, through Australia Volunteers International program funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tourism Kiribati unveils new Mauri Mark Program

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) unveiled the new Mauri Mark Program during their World Tourism Day celebration on Monday 27 September 2021.

The 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.

Under the accommodation rating, hotels and lodges will be assessed based on business operations, fire safety procedures, health and hygiene standards, safety & maintenance, facilities and in-room amenities, environmental sustainability practices and guest support service.

In presenting the program, TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau invited accommodation providers to use the program as an opportunity to improve quality and service delivery, particularly as the country prepares for international border reopening in January 2022. He acknowledged that change will not happen overnight but emphasized that programs such as the Mauri Mark will positively contribute to their vision for a sustainable tourism destination by 2036.

Once assessed, accommodation providers will be rated from 1 to 3plus coconuts. Properties will be awarded rating certificates and Mauri Mark badges which they can display on site or use in their marketing collaterals as an indicator of service and quality guests can expect.

TAK will undertake awareness training and will guide tourism operators on Mauri Mark standards compliance between October and December 2021 with assessments scheduled to begin in January 2022. Visitors to Kiribati from January 2022 should therefore be able to book hotels and lodges based on these new Mari Mark coconut ratings.

Click HERE for more information of the Mauri Mark Program

DOWNLOAD MAURI MARK – ACCOMMODATION 

 

 

Kiribati celebrates World Tourism Day

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) celebrated World Tourism Day 2021 with the theme “Tourism Through Inclusive Growth, by unveiling its Tourism Restart Program in Betio South Tarawa.

The event was attended by government ministers, secretaries, members of the diplomatic corps, tourism operators, non-government organisations (NGO), and civil society representatives from Tarawa and Kiritimati.

TAK Chief Executive Officer, Petero Manufolau shared the organisation’s tourism restart program framework which aims to determine, clarify, and communicate what conditions and protocols will be needed to be adhered to for international travel to happen into Kiribati. The program also intends to prepare Kiribati tourism operators for the resumption of international travel through health, business, and marketing support.

In his presentation, Manufolau highlighted the 4 main components of the Kiribati Tourism Restart Program framework which includes COVID-19 Safety Protocols, the 2021 – 2023 Digital Marketing Strategy, the revised Mauri Mark Tourism Accreditation Program and the 2021 – 2036 Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework.

In his official address, Minister of Information, Communication, Transport & Tourism Development (MICTTD), Honourable Tekeeua Tarati acknowledged the work carried out by Tourism Authority of Kiribati over the past 18-months, in particular the efforts to develop and grow the domestic tourism market in Kiribati, and the development of the COVID-19 tourism safe protocols.

On the 09th of September 2021, the Government of Kiribati, announced the opening of its international borders from January 2022 and part of TAK’s Tourism Restart Program will help  prepare tourism stakeholders for the reopening.

Tourism Restart Training in Tabiteuea North

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The island of Tabiteuea is an interesting place to visit not only for its natural beauty but also for its history. Bones and skull of a well-known warrior of Tabiteuea island, named Kourabi, is well kept and looked after by villagers of Buota until today. The story of Ten Nnabakana (stone warriors) erected between Teabuaeroa and Biken-te-Inai Islet, are still standing today.

From 01 – 10 September 2021, The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) visited Tabiteuea North to conduct trainings for Tabiteuea North and South tourism operators as part of its tourism restart program.

The 2 weeks training program included the Kiribati Tourism and Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal. This is compliance training designed to assist accommodation providers understand and deliver on the health and hygiene requirements of post COVID-19 travel. The protocol training concluded with the provision of hand sanitiser and face masks to all participating accommodation providers.

TAK also conducted an awareness session on the Mauri Mark Accommodation accreditation program which will be implemented from January 2022. In the session, accommodation providers were briefed on the Mauri Mark assessment guidelines and how ratings can help elevate the profile of their business and complement their marketing activities.

To help with preparations for international border reopening in January 2022, TAK also conducted tour guiding, service excellence, housekeeping and baking training. Participation to these sessions were extended to members of the island’s tourism potential communities.

The team from TAK also conducted consultations on the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework whilst in Tabiteuea North.

Tourism Kiribati Welcomes Border Re-opening Announcement

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement yesterday by te Beretitenti, His Excellency Taneti Maamau on his government’s decision to open Kiribati national borders from January 2022.

In his announcement, President Maamau urged the people of Kiribati who qualify for the COVID-19 vaccines to complete both their doses before the end year. He emphasized that unity and complying with restrictions and regulations is very important for the safety of all I-Kiribati. The President called on old men and women organizations, church groups, youth groups, women organizations, Islands Councils, communities and fathers and mothers in every household to help encourage family members and friends get vaccinated against this deadly virus.

Through its Tourism Restart Program, TAK has developed the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal and is currently undertaking COVID-19 safety protocol training for all accommodation providers. Properties in South Tarawa, North Tarawa, Abaiang, Tab North and Tab South have completed their training whilst the rest of accommodation and tourism service providers in other islands will receive their COVID-19 protocol training by November 2021. TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau confirmed that an industry-wide refresher training will be conducted in December 2021, prior to border reopening in January 2022.

As part of its restart program, TAK will also launch its Digital Marketing Strategy in September for implementation form October 2021, giving the Pacific Island destination 3 months to roll out its marketing campaigns and programs.

Travellers returning or visiting Kiribati for the first time in 2022 can expect an improved experience through the destination’s Mauri Mark program, a hotel assessment and accreditation program and the Mauri Way, a Kiribati National Tourism Customer Service program for all tourism service providers.

Details of Kiribati’s COVID-19 traveler requirements and protocols for the January 2022 international border reopening will be advised once it is available from government.

Kiribati at PATA Travel Mart

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The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in the virtual PATA Travel Mart (PTM) from 02 – 05 September 2021.

PTM is a business-to-business travel contracting and virtual networking event connecting qualified international buyers and sellers from all of Asia, the Pacific, and the rest of the world.

The event offered two full business days of one-to-one business appointments and two trade visitor days. TAK used PTM to undertake destination awareness, share Kiribati’s story through video and imagery presentations with travel trade partners from around the world.

Head of Marketing, Sarah Teetu scheduled up to 30 appointments with buyers from Asia, the Americas and Europe in the B2B sessions whist TAK Chief Executive Officer, Petero Manufolau participated as a panelist on the PTM Forum: Destination Recovery Insight from Pacific and Northeast Asia where he shared Kiribati’s Tourism Restart Program.

TAK deems its participation at PTM as a success and agrees that virtual events such as these provides the National Tourism Office with the excellent opportunity to remain connected with its valuable global travel partners as destinations prepare for a restart in international travel & tourism.

Community Product Development Consultation

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Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) undertook product development consultations on the islands of Makin and Butaritari in August 2021.

Led by Product & Development Officer Kiarake Karuaki, the team of 3 from TAK began with village and community consultation. These included tourism knowledge sharing and discussions on the types of tourism that could be developed using resources currently available to each community.

Understanding both the negative and positive impacts of tourism and the value of sustainable tourism development in Kiribati was also part of the consultations in these two northern Gilbert islands.

The product development consultation also included case study presentation of successful product developments projects implemented by TAK in Abemama such as the Reina Community Tourism Project.

Current accommodation providers in Makin and Butaritari were also updated on the new Mauri Mark Standards and assessment requirements which will begin in 2022.

Response from Makin and Butaritari communities was promising as communities acknowledged the initiative as a great start to understanding tourism and how they can be an active part to it. Communities also expressed appreciation that such consultations have helped them understand that tourism is more than just hotel businesses and that cultures and traditions, and that the Kiribati way of life is core to the whole tourism experience.

TAK is scheduled to undertake similar product consultations in other islands with tourism potential in Kiribati as part of its Post COVID-19 Tourism Restart Program.