sustainable tourism – Page 2 – Kaongora Newsletter

Abemama trials Community Tourism Product

April 21, 2022April 19, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted a final preparatory trial and familiarization of the Abemama Community & Island Tourism package from 19 March to 06 April 2022.

The development of niche tourism products on the island includes a combination of community-based tourism, cultural tourism, marine tourism and agritourism experiences across 4 island communities and supported by local accommodation providers and the Abemama Island Council. This project aims to use tourism as a means for island communities to address food security challenges caused by global warming and climate change.

The 5 days itinerary trial based on a sustainable tourism model on traditional and cultural practices including a traditional culinary experience focused on a farm to table and reef to fork experience concept, Marine Protected Areas tours and community and island guided tours with storytelling.

This familiarization trial will assist communities recognise the need for the whole of island approach toward tourism and other service providers that play an important role to visitor experiences. Mr Willie Itaaka from Reina village stated how the familiarization have given them confident to perform and deliver expected standard community tour experiences.

Active ecotourism communities of Reina, Baretoa, and Ainen Wiikin Abemama were also trained on revenue management areas, tourism business fundamentals, and Covid-19 tourism and hospitality protocols for health safety measurement before the opening of the boarders.

It is with anticipation that this one-week training would guide these communities in improving their business initiatives and services in maximizing and managing their revenue, compliance to the Mauri Mark standards, human resource development initiatives, customer service, market analysis, and marketing and promotions of their tourism products and services.

The training concluded with the installation of a traveller information kiosk at the airstrip terminal on the islands.

The trip was supported by the Food Security Project, commonly known as the LDCF-1 which is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP and managed by the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) under the MELAD.

TAK Officers complete Destination Resilience Training

February 28, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Senior Tourism Officer Research & Statistics Mr, Nemani Tebana and Product Development Officer Ms. Kiarake Karuaki participated in the “Enhancing Climate Resilience in Tourism in the Pacific” training from 24 January – 18 February 2022

The 4-weeks online training program was delivered under the Project for Capacity Building on Climate Resilience in the Pacific at the Pacific Climate Change Centre (CBCRP-PCCC) in partnership with the Government of Samoa, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO).

The aims of the training program were to enhance the understanding of risks of climate change impacts on the tourism sector; to enhance the understanding of tangible options and actions of the tourism sector to respond to the impacts of climate change; to present good practices of case studies and projects on resilient and low carbon operation of tourism sector implemented in the Pacific; and to develop skills to prepare logical frameworks to support implementation of recovery plans.

The training has provided the two officers with practical knowledge on the development of logical frameworks related to mitigation and/or adaptation activities for tourism. Mr Tebana and Ms Karuaki will also use their new skills in the development and implementation of the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Policy and Strategy 2022 – 2025.

Kiribati Tourism Optimistic of a Safe Restart

February 28, 2022February 28, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is optimistic of a safe restart to tourism for the destination following a continued high daily recovery rate from COVID-19 since 09 February 2022, 20 days after the first cases were recorded in Kiribati. .

As of 27 February 2022, Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) updates through the Office of Te Beretitenti (OB) indicated a 70% recovery rate with an average daily total of 13 cases per day over the last 7 days.

TAK believes that Kiribati’s 98% first dose and 60% second dose vaccination rate, Government’s COVID-19 safety protocols and public control measures such as the current mandatory lockdown from 7pm to 6am daily have all helped bring daily infection rates down and recoveries high.

TAK further acknowledges frontline medical officials, support staff, national security personnel and development partners in their tireless efforts to manage and contain the COVID-19 cases to its current levels.

As the world begins to open their borders and destinations to international tourism, TAK is optimistic that given the encouraging statistics from national health authorities, Kiribati will be ready for a safe restart to tourism once Government agrees to reopen its borders.

To prepare for a safe, smart, and sustainable restart to tourism, TAK had conducted COVID-19 safety protocols training for all tourism accommodation operators in 2021 and initiated the Mauri Mark Accommodation Accreditation program form January 2022.

TAK Begins 2022 Community Tourism Program

January 14, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) began its 2022 Community Tourism Program with a roadside and waterfront clean up along the Bonriki Causeway and Nawerewere on Saturday 08 January 2022.

Supported by the Minister of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC), Honourable Booti Nauan, the program also included participation from the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development (MELAD) and the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD), MTCIC, Nei Mom Uprising, The POSSIBILITY Network Group and the Nawerewere community. Refreshments were provided compliments of the Kiribati Islands Conservation Society (KICS).

A total of 80 bags of plastic and solid waste was collected through this initiative.

TAK hopes that the participation of local communities will help reinforce the message that tourism is everyone’s business, and that everyone has an important role to play for the safe, smart, and sustainable restart to tourism in Kiribati.

TAK will conduct similar programs on the first Saturday of every month and welcomes the support and participation of all government ministries, private sector operators, non-governmental organisation, civil societies, and local communities.

Kiribati hosts 2021 Tourism Restart Forum

December 14, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) officially opened its 2021 Kiribati Tourism Restart Forum with the theme Preparing Kiribati for a Safe, Smart and Sustainable Restart to Tourism today in South Tarawa, Tuesday 14 December.

The forum aims to create a platform where key local stakeholders can dialogue and engage with international travel and tourism experts on tourism border reopening priorities and to be informed of best practices for the resumption of international tourism in Kiribati.

Day 1 of this 2 days has been successful in bringing together government leaders and representatives, private sector, development partners, civil society, regional organisations, training institutions, faith-based organisation and local communities to dialogue and discuss tourism restart opportunities for Kiribati. As a hybrid event, the forum also includes international online participants.

In her address, Chief Guest and Minister for Employment & Human Resources, Honourable Taabeta Amuera Teakai acknowledged the work that the TAK has carried out since border closure in 2020. Hon. Teakai also applauded the Authority for its proactive approach to preparing the tourism industry for the new normal in tourism through its Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal.

A line-up of distinguished local and international experts in public health and safety, destination management, airline marketing, niche tourism, environment conversation and trade and investment are presenting at this event.

The Kiribati Tourism Restart Forum continues Wednesday 15 December, and virtual participation will be available through https://corporate.visitkiribati.travel/tourismforum/

COVID-19 Safety Protocol Training in Kiritimati

December 2, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) in Kiritimati Island continued its the Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal training for accommodation providers, tour operators and fishing guides on the island throughout November 2021.

The training is based on COVD-19 safety protocols for the tourism and hospitality sector and is part of TAK’s tourism restart program as Kiribati prepares for border reopening in 2022.

To date, 85% of all tourism employees on the island have completed this training and the remaining 15% are scheduled to receive their training in December 2021.

Refresher training for these employees will be conducted once a definite border reopening date is set.

The program was developed through the Economic Recovery Grant program of the United States of America’s Embassy in Fiji’s.

Kiribati to host Tourism Forum

December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

In preparation for border re-opening in 2022, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) will host the Kiribati Tourism Restart Forum on 14 & 15 December 2021 with the theme Preparing Kiribati for a Safe, Smart and Sustainable Restart to Tourism.

The forum will bring together leaders and stakeholders in government, private sector, development partners, civil society, regional organisations, training institutions, and local communities.

TAK will also use the forum update its stakeholders on the organisation’s Tourism Restart Program which include COVID-19 tourism safety protocols, the Kiribati Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework, Digital Marketing Strategy, Tourism Investment Promotion and the Mauri Mark Program.

The forum will provide a platform for stakeholders to share ideas and experiences and to discuss suggested best practices for Kiribati to consider as it maps the way forward towards a SAFE, SMART & SUSTAINABLE RESTART to Tourism.

The event is also open to virtual participation and registration is now open on https://corporate.visitkiribati.travel/tourismforum/

Abemama hotels prepare for Tourism Restart

November 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAKI) conducted a one-week training on Customer Service, Basic Housekeeping and Hospitality, Revenue Management and Kiribati Tourism and Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal / COVID-19 Safety Protocols at the women’s center in Abemama.

The Tourism Restart training program is designed to help prepare tourism business operators for border reopening in January 2022.

Participants of the workshop included employees from the three hotels, Abemama Island Guesthouse, Green Eco-lodge, St. Anthony Parish Hotel and representatives from Reina Community and Ainen Wiikin Abemama Ecotourism Communities.

The program included the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all participating organisation, funded by the US Embassy’s Economic Recovery Grant.

Similar programs and training have been delivered in South Tarawa, North Tarawa, Abaiang, Butaritari, Marakei, Tab South, Tab North and Kiritimati. TAK will deliver the same training in the remaining islands of the Gilbert and Line Islands prior to border reopening.

TAK Supports Abemama ‘Tania ni Maeu’ By-law

November 30, 2021November 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) participated in the Tania ni Maeu By-law consultation in Abemama in November 2021. Led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the Tania ni Maeu By-law is part of the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) project aims to assist Abemama sustain its resources from exploitation and envisages to regenerate and safeguard the natural and cultural resources of the island.

TAK used the consultation as an opportunity to highlight the benefits of ecotourism to Abemama communities and how the Tania ni Maeu By-law will help contribute to the sustainable development of tourism on the island.

The consultation also included representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Cooperative (MCIC), Ministry of Fisheries and Resources Development (MFRD), Ministry of Environment, Land & Agricultural Development (MELAD) and Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Abemama hotels undergo Business Fundamentals Training

November 30, 2021 by Taare Rikiai

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) conducted the Tourism Business Fundamentals training for Abemama tourism operators on 23 November 2021 at the Green Eco Hotel in Kariatebike, Abemama.

The training is a response to the tourism business operators needs assessment survey conducted by earlier in 2021. Topics covered in the training included pre and post covid-19 trends in tourism, tourism product development and marketing, human resources management, and the importance of community engagement for tourism business operators.

Six (6) tourism operators participated in this one-day training workshop. These included Green Eco Hotel, Island Council Guesthouse, Terineraoi community in Reina Village, Baretoa village which supports ecotourism package. Saint Anthony Parish Hotel and Abatiku will undergo separate training in the coming days.

The Tourism Business Fundamentals training is part of TAK’s Tourism Restart Program, where TAK is preparing tourism operators for a smart and sustainable restart to tourism. Similar trainings will be conducted in the other islands in the Gilbert group and as well as Tabuaeran and Teraina in the Line Islands.

Tourism Authority Kiribati