tourism restart – Kaongora Newsletter

Kiribati welcomes first commercial flight since border lockdown

August 5, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

Tarawa, Kiribati was in celebration mode as the island converged at Bonriki International Airport on Thursday 04 August 2022 to welcome the country’s first commercial flight, 2 ½ years since COVID-19 border lockdown.

Fiji Airways’ FJ231 landed at Bonriki International Airport with more than one hundred passengers at 11am and were welcomed by the Ngaon Nareau choir whose chants and singing echoed welcoming sounds of the islands throughout the terminal building.

Also present to celebrate the occasion was Minister of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC), Honourable Booti Nauan. In an interview, Honourable Nauan said that he hoped visitors will enjoy their Kiribati experience. He also extended an invitation to them saying “take the time to learn about who we are as a people and the values that we hold dear to our hearts. Immerse yourself in our tropical islands and turquoise lagoons and most importantly, remember to make the most of your time here in Kiribati”.

At the arrival’s concourse, passengers were greeted by reigning Miss Kiribati, Paepae Kilei and staff of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) who garlanded travellers and returning resident’s with katokabau, the traditional Kiribati floral head piece presented to special guests.

Entertainment by the Tekeang ni Marawa dance group at the arrivals area filled the terminal building with more excitement as some passengers could not resist the invitation to join the dancers as they made their way to their eagerly awaiting hosts and families. For many of these travellers, its was a happy and emotional reunion after having being separated from their families for a very long time.

The first commercial flight to Tarawa yesterday is a significant milestone achievement and represents the Government of Kiribati’s efforts to manage COVID-19 and to bring back some normalcy to its tourism industry.

Discussions on the resumption of flights into Kiribati’s second international airport and fly-fishing mecca, Kiritimati (Christmas Island) this year is continuing and the TAK will share reopening details once information is available.

International travel to Kiribati to begin 01 August 2022

June 18, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The Government of Kiribati, through the Office of Te Beretitenti today announced that all international travel to and from Kiribati will return to normal on the 1st of August, 2022.

This official announcement also confirmed that the Government of Kiribati has reduced the compulsory in-country quarantine days for all travelers from seven (7) to three (3) days.

The announcement follows the Government of Kiribati’s confirmation that the country’s COVID-19 Alert Level has been reduced from 3b to 3c and it has relaxed the SOP guidelines currently being practiced as part of Kiribati’s preventive measures against COVID-19.

The New Public Health Order was effective from Friday 17th of June, 2022 and will remain for two weeks as the curfew hours have ceased for all islands that are infected by COVID-19.

Furthermore, inter-island travel will still be subject to the availability of quarantine centres on islands that are COVID-19 free.

Despite the relaxation of some of the SOP guidelines, the Government appeals to the general public to continue practicing health safety measures such as wearing masks in public and the continuation of handwashing to help stop the spread of the virus. The public is encouraged to visit clinics to receive vaccination and booster, 5 months after receiving second dose.

As of this week, the administration of the Pfizer vaccine for youths between the age of 12 and 17 years has commenced in South Tarawa and Betio. Parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure all their children are fully vaccinated to ensure the safety and well-being of their children and the general public.

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati will share the full details of Kiribati’s August border reopening conditions in the coming days.

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.

Tourism Survey in North Tarawa

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

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati conducted its annual survey known as the Tourism Business Inventory Survey (TBIS) in North Tarawa on the 25th and 26th of March. The primary objective of this survey is to update the TAK database of tourism operators and includes data such as services offered, available facilities, number of rooms, and number of employees to name a few.

This is part of TAK’s annual work plan to ensure our accommodation database is accurate and up to date. The data collected is strictly confidential and only the contact information or a combined summary of the businesses is shared with stakeholders and our regional and international partners.

The team surveyed 7 properties namely Tabon Tekeeke; Tabuki Retreat; Uaai Getaway; Bikennarara Resort; Nemat Resort; Tarabuka Hideaway and Ocean View. Many of these accommodations are locally built comprising of overwater Buia and local huts.

The survey was conducted by the Research and Statistics Division team.

Kiritimati Island conducts COVID19 Lockdown Drill

February 28, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

The island of Kiritimati (Christmas) in the Line group conducted a COVID-19 lockdown drill on Thursday 24 February 2022 to test the islander’s readiness should they register a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Kiritimati and its neighbouring inhabited islands of Teraina (Washington) and Tabuaeran (Fanning) island are currently COVID-19 free and had enforced restrictions to domestic inbound travel into the group since COVID-19 broke out in the country’s capital in South Tarawa.

The island is also Kiribati’s leisure tourism hub, renown as a world-class fly-fishing destination and a thriving bird wildlife sanctuary.

The simulation exercise was coordinated by the Kiritimati COVID19 Task Force committee which initiated the mock lockdown based on the scenario that a positive case was confirmed in London Village.

The exercise included a declaration of public emergency on Thursday 24th of February 2022, the activation of the island’s siren for residents to remain indoors and closure of businesses, radio announcement and information dissemination via the island’s COVID-19 Facebook page. The exercise lasted 3 day.

Health and national security officials and representatives from the Ministry of Line & Phoenix Islands Development were mobilized to manage the exercise over the 3 days of trial lockdown.

During this time, the local hospital remained opened but with restrictions to visitors, operating hours for all shops were limited and a mandatory public mask mandate throughout the island was activated.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Tourism Officer Tiuti Biribo says “the public and businesses operators we very cooperative and took the exercise seriously”. He added that this allowed for the successful management of Kiritimati’s first every trial run with a confirmed case of COVID-19 community transmission.

The Task force was chaired and led by the Minister of the Line & Phoenix islands, Honourable Mikarite Temari and included Secretary, Mr Natario Kiaiti and representatives from local government agencies, private sector and faith-based organisations.

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.

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.

Kiribati in PATA & BBC News Micronesia Destination Insight Series

January 31, 2022 by Taare Rikiai

In 2020, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in partnership with BBC Global News launched the Destination Insight Series in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. The webinar series takes a close look at various destinations around the Asia Pacific region and examines how they have been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing towards recovery. The panel discussion will provide a 360° perspective of each destinations’ on-ground activities and preparations from operations to marketing and communications.

On Thursday 27 January 2022, the series explored the warmth of Micronesia specifically focused on Kiribati, Palau & Guam. Participants to this session included travel trade and tour operators from around the world.

In their introduction to the session, PATA highlighted that Micronesia is a spellbinding world abounding with warm caressing breezes, captivatingly rich culture and exotic adventure all dancing around in unison under the thick golden rays of an arching tropical sun. The mysterious, the magical and the modern sides of life all lie within easy reach for the welcomed visitor, just like a swollen ripe mango dropping from a mango tree into a waiting hand.

Together with Guam, Micronesia comprises of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Kiribati and Palau, with each different island chain offering a unique and unforgettable experience.

Through this session, Hon. Ngirai Tmetuchl Minister of Human Resource, Culture & Tourism Development, Palau and Mr. Gerald Perez of Guam Visitors Bureau and TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau agreed on the need for a unified regional approach to marketing Micronesia as a destination in itself.’

The recorded version of the session is available on YouTube

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.

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 will feature in this first ever tourism forum for Kiribati tourism.

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/

Tourism Authority Kiribati