The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), through its Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) in consultation with the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK), released its latest findings from the Visitor Arrival Survey conducted over six months from January to June 2024.  This comprehensive data collection effort has provided SPTO and TAK with valuable insights into the preferences and experiences of international guests. This allows SPTO and TAK to better understand their behaviors and tailor our tourism offerings accordingly.

TAK Acting CEO, Reeti Onorio commended her team and the PTDI team for their hard work in data collection and producing this IVS report. “While this may be the first IVS report produced by the PTDI, it is the 3rd IVS report for Kiribati. All three reports have been supported by SPTO and we are very thankful for SPTO's guidance in conducting this important survey and producing these reports,” Ms Onorio said.

The data collection effort yielded 205 responses, covering 160 adults and 35 children. While this represents only about 6% of the actual visitors during this time frame, the sample size is still substantial enough to offer valuable insights into travelers' experiences and economic contributions to Kiribati. One key finding from the IVS for Kiribati is that tourists are delighted with their overall experience in Kiribati. Most respondents rated their satisfaction levels as either “good” or “excellent,” indicating positive experiences during their visit.

Visitors cited several key factors that influenced their decision to visit Kiribati:

• Business: Kiribati's main visitor type is the businessman and this was reflected in the main influential factor in choosing Kiribati.
• Culture and history: Culture played an influential role in attracting visitors from the locals' dance and architecture to their food preservation techniques.
• Friendly people: The warmth and hospitality of the I-Kiribati people leave a lasting impression, making visitors feel welcome and valued.

In acknowledging the announcement of the PTDI survey updates SPTO, CEO Christopher Cocker states that moving forward, SPTO is fully committed to ensuring the implementation of efficient management systems for the PTDI.

“SPTO's position as the premier hub for Pacific Tourism Research and insights enables us to elevate our commitment to serving SPTO members with their research and insights needs, further propelling sustainable tourism growth in the region. The PTDI, a vital research project initiative, is instrumental in providing valuable insights into tourism trends and their impacts on communities, businesses, and visitors in the Pacific region,” Mr Cocker said.

In October 2023, the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) transitioned from the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI) based at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in New Zealand to the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO). The PTDI is a research project that collects and reports on tourism information in 10 Pacific nations (Federated States of Micronesia(Yap), Timor Leste, Kiribati, Niue, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and is funded by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)