Kiribati Tourism operators, government agencies, and stakeholders in Tarawa and nearby outer islands have committed to digital transformation by participating in the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Pacific Digital Champions training program under the Digital Transformation Project (Phase 2) on 29-30 August 2023.
Workshop participants commended the 2-day digital training, recognizing its relevance to industry demands. The training was led by digital consultant Tasneem Hussain, who helped participants learn the basics of digital marketing, how to use digital tools to create and manage their online presence, including social media marketing, and content marketing.
Land & Marine Transport Agency Benaata Webb commended the two-day workshop as it highlighted the vital role of diverse social media platforms in propelling business development and encouraging more client engagement. “It’s interesting to know about the many social media platforms and the different audiences they cater to. This will definitely boost our business and help us engage with clients.”
Karianako James Media Officer from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource Development (MFMRD) mentioned that his key takeaway from the workshop was on search engine optimisation. “Embracing SEO is like embracing visibility, accessibility, and relevance in the digital realm. If you can grasp the dynamics of SEO you are able to unlock a space of possibilities in the interconnected web of information.”
Kiribati Institute of Technology (KIT) trainer Rosie King Kumkee stated that the workshop was an eye-opener for her, especially using digital marketing tools like artificial intelligence that could assist in writing out social media posts or other documents, however, there was a need to tread carefully on the information produced by these AI. “I learned a lot from the workshop, especially about the potential of artificial intelligence to assist with digital marketing tasks. However, I think it’s important to be aware of the limitations of AI, and to always double-check the information that it produces.”
Aligned with the SPTO Digital Strategy, the Pacific Digital Champions training program aims to empower individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the digital landscape successfully.
In acknowledging the positive feedback from participants, Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) CEO Petero Manufolau commended SPTO in facilitating the workshop across its member countries and the New Zealand Government in providing funding to host these workshops.
“We are committed to digital transformation in the tourism sector, and this training program is an important step in that journey. Participants are all eager to learn how to use digital technologies to promote their business and Kiribati as a tourism destination. This training program will help us to develop the skills and knowledge we need to use digital technologies to sustainably grow tourism in Kiribati”.
He added that “In this day and age of digital connectivity, it is important for tourism businesses, government agencies, and tertiary institutions to understand the various platforms and tools available to them. This is especially true for small island states like Kiribati. We look forward to seeing the positive impact it has on tourism and other related sectors in Kiribati.”
The activity was funded by the New Zealand Government through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT) and Kiribati now joins other Pacific Island destinations that have completed this training. Wave Two training will continue virtually until December 31, 2023.
