Kiritimati Trips
Christmas Island, Kiribati - August 2023
In August 2023, Kiribati students from Brigham Young University–Hawaii embarked on a groundbreaking trip to Christmas Island. Their mission: to pioneer a "regenerative tourism" program in alignment with the national government's vision to transform Christmas Island into a vibrant tourist destination. Led by four hospitality and tourism managementIn August 2023, Kiribati students from Brigham Young University–Hawaii embarked on a groundbreaking trip to Christmas Island. Their mission: to pioneer a "regenerative tourism" program in alignment with the national government's vision to transform Christmas Island into a vibrant tourist destination.
Led by four hospitality and tourism management (HTM) majors and their advisor, the team aimed to educate Kiribati residents and government officials, advocating for sustainable tourism practices that would benefit both the industry and local communities. This student-led and student-funded initiative marked a historic milestone, representing the first of its kind for the university.
Student Participants
Temwake Kuraotio
Timeon Murdoch
Tabware Manibwebwe
Garynta Rotau
Christmas Island, Kiribati - December 2023
In December 2023, Brigham Young University–Hawaii students undertook a transformative trip to Christmas Island. They pioneered the island's first training and evaluation procedures for homestay hosts and tour operators, co-organized the "First Sunrise of the New Year" event, and significantly boosted online viewership of the ceremony through digital marketing efforts.
Additionally, they collaborated with government officials to advance community-based tourism, tested new tour concepts for the emerging destination, and advocated for the creation of a national park (the first in the Micronesian islands).
Student Participants
Caden Hansen
Preston Summerhays
Nance Micabani
Jerameel Recodig
Heidi Boraia
Angela Caburnay
Tabware Manibwebwe
Temwake Kuratio
Timeon Murdoch
Teaitara Baraka