Tourism Authority Kiribati

Kaongora Newsletter

Kiribati’s Kiritimati (Christmas) Island to reopen after 3 years in lockdown.

Kiribati’s Kiritimati (Christmas) Island will welcome its first international travellers in 3 years, 1 month and 13 days when Fiji Airways resumes its weekly scheduled service to this world-class fly-fishing destination on Tuesday 02 May 2023.

Following months of rigorous airport facility and airline compliance checks and clearance by the Civil Aviation Authority of Kiribati and Fiji Airways, Kiritimati will welcome travellers through Fiji Airways’ services from Nadi, Fiji and Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) welcomes this development in international access into Kiritimati. Tourism operators on the island have endured hardships for over 3 years since COVID-19 forced the closure of the island’s international border and the reopening is envisaged to be a welcome relief for the mainly privately and community-owned tourism business operators.

Fly fishing enthusiasts who have been patient and have supported Kiritimati Island throughout its 3 years of closure can expect world class experiences when they return to the island’s well preserved fishing flats this week.

Fiji Airways will operate weekly services from Nadi, Fiji and Honolulu, Hawaii and travellers are required to present their vaccination certificate (double vax) upon check in. COVID-19 checks are no longer required upon arrival however persons displaying COVID-19 or flu like symptoms upon arrival are required to visit the local health centre for medical check.

Kiribati’s Nonouti Island ready to welcome travellers.

The island of Nonouti in Kiribati’s southern Gilbert group confirmed its readiness to welcome international travellers when it showcased its Community-Based Tourism (CBT) products to senior government officials and industry stakeholders.

Over the last 12 months, Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Tourism Officer – Product Development, Ms Kiarake Karuaki made numerous trips to Nonouti to introduce the concept of Sustainable CBT to communities and local organisations on the island. These trips included scoping for potential CBT sites, soliciting community interest to participate in the initiative and the provision of tourism support and training for these remote island communities.

Nonouti island is a popular fly-fishing destination in the Gilbert group. Through this initiative, visitors can now also enjoy  a number of cultural and traditional culinary experiences including the islands famous te ibunroro – a local delicacy made from fresh sea shell meat cooked in an intricately carved out young coconut shell over an open fire. The result is a creamy blend of ocean goodness and coconut milk freshness with a distinct burnt aroma that is pleasing to the taste bud.

Nonouti island is where the Roman Catholic Church was first established in Kiribati in 1888 and is also home to the largest and oldest Maneaba in all of Kiribati.  Called “te Aake” (the ark). It was built as a symbol of the first arrival of Christianity to Kiribati through Roman Catholic church

Supported by the LDCF -1 Food Security Project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP and managed by the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) under the MELAD, this CBT initiative attracted the interest of 3 communities, local fishing guides and supported by the Nonouti Island Council.