The delegation from Mulpha Hotel Pty Ltd, was looking to recruit i-Kiribati for positions on their Hayman Island Resort.
This mission was a follow-up on PTI Australia’s facilitation of 28 i-Kiribati to work on the Hayman Island Resort as part of the Pacific Microstates – Northern Australia Worker Pilot Program. The success of the i-Kiribati recruits working with Mulpha since October 2016, led to the 2017 delegation, resulting in further positions being offered and directly strengthening the relationship between Mulpha Hotel Pty Ltd and local agencies in Kiribati.
As part of the mission, PTI Australia’s Trade and Investment Commissioner also officially launched the Kiribati Surfing Association website. The website was developed through PTI Australia’s partnership with Scope Global. PTI Australia provided an impact grant to Jack O’Shea, a volunteer under the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program. The funds were used to design and build a new website for the Kiribati Surfing Association. The website aims to raise awareness of the surfing association internationally and position Kiribati as a surfing destination for international tourists.
An avid surfer, Mr Jarvis said that the Kiribati Surfing Association plays an important role in the community by educating and promoting surfing as a healthy and competitive sport for i-Kiribati, as well as promoting Kiribati to international tourists looking for unique surfing experiences.
“In Kiribati there is very little room for sporting fields and facilities. The Kiribati Surfing Association saw the potential for surfing, to open up the whole ocean to i-Kiribati kids, grown-ups and tourists – especially on the Outer Islands where there’s limited funds to build and maintain facilities like tennis and basketball courts. The waves, on the other hand, are just on their doorstep; rolling in most days, waiting to be ridden.
“As part of PTI Australia’s Digital Tourism program, the Kiribati Surfing Association website will help to promote Kiribati as a surfing destination to a global market, increasing tourism opportunities.”
The Kiribati Surfing Association advocates for the sustainable use of coastal and marine environments to ensure that the natural resources of Kiribati are maintained for future generations. Through surfing, a greater understanding of the importance of healthy marine ecosystems can be developed. The Kiribati Surfing Association hopes that the new website will increase the numbers of local and international surfers in Kiribati, while also encouraging the local community to take a more active role in coastal management and stewardship.
