Accommodation

Accommodation constitutes the most important segment of the tourism industry. It is in many ways the base of tourism industry as it is a vital and fundamental part of tourism supply. In their travel, visitors require a location where they can rest and revive, and It is for this reason that commercial accommodations exist. The availability of accommodation in a destination and the type of accommodation available creates an image of a tourism destination in the mind of the traveler.

The accommodation options in Kiribati currently range from hotel, Guesthouse, Motel & Self Contained Apartment, to Community stay, homestay and AirBnB.

International star rating classification do not apply in Kiribati, however as a guide, a few properties in South Tarawa and Kiritimati may pass as 2-star hotels. The outer islands of Kiribati typically offer basic and traditional island style bungalows called “Buia” with simple room amenities.

As a developing destination, Kiribati does not enjoy the benefit of an internationally accredited accommodation rating system. However, for us to strengthen potential visitor understanding on the type of accommodation available in Kiribati, we will need to create that perception and understanding in the minds of our ‘would be’ visitors.

To achieve this, the Tourism Authority has developed the following Mauri Mark standards rating system for all accommodation providers across Kiribati. Accommodation providers will be required to satisfy all Mauri Mark criteria and are required to sustain those criteria during their business operations. The criteria may be amended each year by the TAK in consultation with the Industry members and Government Ministries.

Accommodations will be classified under two categories:

Category 1 – Hotel, Guesthouse and Motel & Self Contained Apartment
Category 2 – Island Bungalow, Community, Homestay and AirBnB

All properties will be evaluated on the following:

Business Operations
Fire Safety Procedures
Health and Hygiene standards
Safety & Maintenance
Facilities and in-room amenities
Environmental sustainability practices
Guest Support Service

Definition

Hotel

A hotel in Kiribati is defined as an accommodation establishment with no less than 10 rooms. Hotel facilities typically include a reception, a restaurant and bar, room services, daily housekeeping services, safe storage area, car park, visitor information desk, public area washroom and facilities. Room facilities in a Kiribati hotel includes tea and coffee making facilities and, toiletry supplies with either air condition and/or fans.

Guest House

Accommodation establishment with less than 15 rooms, with a common room/hall, single bedroom or shared rooms with bunk beds, dormitory rooms, shared bathroom and toilet and kitchen with all facilities for cooking and dining. Guests staying in a Kiribati guesthouse usually cook for themselves. Daily housekeeping is provided but not mandatory.

Motels & Self Contained Apartment

Accommodation establishment with no less than five (5) units and ranges from studio apartments through to one to three (1-3) bedroom apartments that are self-contained with a kitchen.

Island Bungalow

Accommodation establishment traditionally built with thatched roof (s). Architectural design reflects local Kiribati island historical building structure.

Home Stay

Accommodation establishment that allows for a visitor to rent a room from a local family in a home-like setting. It is common to visitors to use this for improving their language skills and getting familiar with the local culture and lifestyle. Homestays guest in Kiribati either occupy a separate room or are provided with Kiakia (small traditional hut with raised platforms) and all meals daily.

AIRBnB

An apartment or room rented through a home sharing website, does not provide housekeeping services and visitors make their own meals.

How to apply for Mauri Mark rating?

Properties that fit the description of the different types of accommodation in Kiribati must apply for a Mauri Mark rating per the Tourism Act 2018. (Part VII Section 39, 2). Properties must apply using the designated application form available from TAK office. An online application form is also available on the TAK website.

Property Assessment

Property assessment will be carried out 90 days after the application is received.

The assessment will be conducted by TAK tourism inspectors on a mutually agreed date with the property owner.

based on the highlighted criteria as outlined in the inspection sheet above. Additionally, there are two forms of audit under the Mauri Mark program. One is conducted in the first two weeks of Jan each year. The audit will be based on the minimum conditions that have been prescribed by the TAK.

Properties that do not meet the minimum 50 points required to be rated will be issued with a letter from the TAK detailing reasons for not meeting the minimum points required. This letter will allow the business one month to address the issue before further audit is undertaken. If the issue is resolved, a Mauri Mark will be awarded. However, if the matter is not resolved, the property will be issued with a 90 day ’notice period’ for improvement, after which the property will be re-assessed as illustrated in the diagram below.

The other one is the customer experience audit which will be triggered if the TAK receives three written complaints on a specific issue relating to the Mauri Mark criteria. Upon receipt of three specific complaints, the TAK will formally write to the business explaining that an audit has been triggered and providing two weeks’ notice of an audit taking place. This will allow time for the business to urgently make amends to any relevant issue.

Once the customer experience audit is undertaken and the specific issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of the TAK, the Mauri Mark status for that business will be revoked. If resolved its Mauri Mark Certificate will be granted/ or returned for display.

What else does a business have to do to get and retain a Mauri Mark?

In addition to maintaining all the prescribed minimum safety and standards conditions for businesses to obtain and keep the Mauri Mark, they will be required to send their staff to customer service, First-aid training, and Fire drill workshop held once a year. These trainings are jointly run by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati and relevant organizations on a regular basis. It is encouraged that participants must attend such training.

In addition businesses will be required to have within their rooms or at their reception area, customers feedback forms that allow customers the opportunity to provide feedback.

Mauri Mark Grading System for Accommodations

Grading for accommodations is based on room amenities and facilities as well as guest support services. Points are allocated to each item available. Total points when tallied determine the coconut allocations. Provided below is the Mauri Mark Coconut rating system for accommodations.

Coconut Rating

	Grading	Descriptions
	50 - 64	Properties that offer basic facilities at affordable rates ideal for the budget travelers. Cleaned and secured, however may lack most of the items relating to the comforts and preference of the Guests as listed under the Mauri Mark criteria.
	65 - 79	Properties that offer better facilities at competitive rates. Cleaned and secured but may have very few items relating to the comfort and preference of the Guests.
	80 - 94	Properties that reflect quality standard facilities and amenities that meet the varied needs of the guests. Deliver and maintain high standard of service and cleanliness. Ideal for both holiday and business travelers.
	95 - 100	Properties with quality facilities and amenities that meet /or exceed the expectations of the guests. Reflects high standard of service and cleanliness. Most or all of the items relating to the comfort and preference of the Guests as reflected in the MMark Standards are available.

Mauri Mark Certification

Properties awarded with a Mauri Mark Coconut Rating will be issued with a certificate that must be displayed at the check-in area or other areas within the property that will be visible to all guests.

Validity of Mauri Mark Rating

Mauri Mark Coconut Rating is valid for 1 year and will be reviewed annually by TAK Tourism Inspectors. The annual review will be based on a complete property re-assessment based on the approved criteria.

Grievance Procedure

Properties that dispute their Mauri Mark Coconut Rating may submit their grievance via an official letter address to:

The Manager
Product Development, Licensing & Monitoring
Tourism Authority of Kiribati
Takoronga, Betio, Tarawa
E:mail: maurimark@kiribatitourism.gov.ki

Once received, TAK will go through the grievances in person with the property representative. The property will then be provided with the grading score sheets and the justification of the points awarded.

If the property continues to be dissatisfied with the rating, TAK will schedule a re-assessment of the property and outcome will be final.

Tourism Authority of Kiribati

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