Mauri Mark – Kaongora Newsletter

Mauri Mark assessment in North Tarawa

March 30, 2022March 30, 2022 by Sarah Teetu Reymond

A Mauri Mark Accommodation Standards assessment was carried out on North Tarawa tourism accommodations operators as part of the TAK Post COVID-19 Tourism Restart Program.

The Product & Development Manager Mr. Iataake King led the TAK team with a courtesy visit and briefing with the Eutan Tarawa Island council Mayor and Clerk before they headed off to visit the tourism accommodation providers at their respective locations starting from Buariki to Abatao village.

The accommodations were assessed based on the Mauri Mark Accommodation standards criteria of their facilities based on fire safety procedures, health hygiene standards, safety & maintenance, facilities and in-room amenities, environmental sustainability practices, and guest support service. Those operators that meet the minimum standards will be awarded with the Mauri Mark Certificates and allocated with the Mauri Mark coconut rating of 1 to 3 coconuts depending on their assessment results.

TAK encouraged these visitor accommodations to take this Mauri Mark Standards seriously to support the safety, security, and sustainability of their tourism products as well as assist in the promotion and marketing of their services to their target market.

TAK Awards Hotel Mauri Mark Certification

February 28, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) began the Mauri Mark Standards assessment of South Tarawa accommodation providers in January 2022.

The Mauri Mark is part of TAK’s Tourism Restart Program and involves the assessment of licensed accommodation providers. The assessment criteria for Kiribati hotels and lodges include business operations, fire safety procedures, health & safety hygiene standards, facilities including in-room facilities, environmental sustainability practices and guest support services.

In its first set of assessment, TAK assessed The George Hotel, Mary’s Motel and Utirerei Hotel in January prior to the COVID-19 lockdown. With the easing of domestic restrictions, TAK has now continued the process by awarding these properties with their Mauri Mark Coconut rating certificates on Friday 25 February and Monday 28 February 2022.

In presenting the certificates, TAK Manager Product Development, Mr. Iataake King says that “this Mauri Mark certification program is an improvement from the original hotel rating system and will serve as a service and sustainability guide for travellers booking accommodation in Kiribati”.

King further stated that hotel operators can display their certificates on site and use the accreditation as a marketing tool. Most importantly, visitors to Kiribati can now have an idea of the quality of services they can expect from hotels when booking accommodation.

TAK will continue accommodation assessment as domestic travel restrictions begin to ease and aims to complete and issue Mauri Mark rating certificates by the end of the first quarter of the year.

Tourism Kiribati unveils new Mauri Mark Program

October 6, 2021September 29, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

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

Tourism Authority Kiribati

Mauri Mark assessment in North Tarawa

TAK Awards Hotel Mauri Mark Certification

Tourism Kiribati unveils new Mauri Mark Program

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