AGP Executive Report

Tsunami Watch: A powerful earthquake in the southern Philippines has put Pacific coastal monitoring on alert, with regional advisories including Kiribati; New Zealand says there’s no tsunami threat to Aotearoa and wave forecasts are under 0.3m above tide levels. Kiribati & UN Spotlight: Kiribati has won a historic seat on a UN gender body, a big win for representation that matters for people-to-people travel and community programs. Tourism & Culture: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 kicked off in Māngere with its biggest line-up yet, featuring artists across the Pacific diaspora, including Kiribati youth dance. Tourism Data for Planning: SPTO and Niue Tourism shared key findings from the 2025 International Visitor Survey, with Kiribati among the PTDI countries using the data to shape visitor experiences. Climate Heads-Up: The WMO warns El Niño has an 80% chance of emerging before September, likely bringing hotter, wetter and drier swings across the Pacific region. Kiribati Heritage Search: Purdue’s Earhart plane expedition is set to target Nikumaroro in 2026 after clearance work with the Government of Kiribati. Money Moves: A look at how fintech can help Kiribati overcome distance and improve access to financial services across its scattered islands.

Kiribati Tourism & Travel Spotlight: Purdue University is planning a new push to find Amelia Earhart’s lost plane on Nikumaroro, with the team departing Majuro on July 28, spending five days on the island, and returning by August 14—an effort tied to the long-running theory that the aircraft reached the reef rather than crashing into open ocean. Regional Tourism Trade: Fiji’s Parliament heard scrutiny over how Fiji funds regional tourism promotion, including claims that SPTE 2026 (held in Nadi) delivered record participation and commercial outcomes, with more than 225 participants and added Industry Day and Women in Business Showcase activities. Visitor Insights for the Pacific: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, highlighting visitor preferences and spending patterns across Pacific destinations including Kiribati, supported by New Zealand-funded Pacific Tourism Data Initiative tools. Climate Watch for Travelers: The UN weather agency says there’s an 80% chance of El Niño emerging before September, with higher odds later in the year—raising the risk of extreme heat and shifting rainfall patterns across the central and eastern Pacific. Kiribati Economy & Access: A look at how fintech could help Kiribati overcome distance and connectivity barriers, focusing on practical digital finance for people and businesses rather than building a startup hub.

Kiribati Tourism & Travel Spotlight: Purdue University is planning a new push to find Amelia Earhart’s lost plane at Nikumaroro, with the team departing Majuro on July 28, spending five days on the island, and returning by August 14—an effort tied to the long-running theory that the aircraft reached the reef rather than crashing into open ocean. Regional Air Connectivity: Fiji Airways will resume direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from September 22, with a twice-weekly service (Tuesdays and Fridays) adding 10,000+ seats annually and boosting travel links for tourists, delegates, and partners. Pacific Culture & Visitor Pull: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 opens in Māngere with its biggest line-up yet, featuring artists from across the Pacific including Kiribati youth dance “Marewen,” running for two-and-a-half weeks before moving north for Matariki programming. Climate Watch for Travelers: The UN’s weather agency says there’s an 80% chance of El Niño emerging before September, raising the risk of extreme heat and shifting rainfall patterns across the Pacific region. Tourism Data for Planning: SPTO and Niue Tourism Office released the 2024 International Visitor Survey report under the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, offering fresh insights into visitor sources, ages, and spending to guide destination strategy. Kiribati Economy & Fintech: A look at how fintech is becoming more relevant in Kiribati—not to build a tech hub, but to help overcome distance and improve access to financial services across remote atolls.

UN Gender Seat Win: Kiribati secured a historic seat on a UN gender body, a major milestone for representation and regional visibility. Tourism & Culture: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 kicked off in Māngere with its biggest line-up yet, including Kiribati youth dance “Marewen,” spotlighting Pasifika identity across Aotearoa and beyond. Tourism Data for Planning: SPTO and Niue Tourism shared key findings from the 2025 International Visitor Survey, using Pacific-wide visitor data to guide smarter, more sustainable tourism strategies—relevant for Kiribati operators planning ahead. Fintech for Distance: A look at how fintech could support Kiribati’s economic future by improving access to financial services across remote atolls and islands. Climate Watch: WMO warns El Niño has an 80% chance before September, with likely impacts across the Pacific that could intensify heat and weather extremes. Aviation Mystery Update: Purdue’s Earhart search is set to focus on Nikumaroro again in 2026, after clearance steps with Kiribati delayed the earlier plan. Regional Connectivity: The Quad’s new agenda highlights ports, cables, and minerals across the Indo-Pacific, with implications for Pacific connectivity and travel-linked trade routes. Regional Tourism Funding Debate: Fiji’s role funding SPTE 2026 faced scrutiny in Parliament, with questions about measurable support for small businesses.

UN Milestone: Kiribati has won a historic seat on a UN gender body, a big moment for visibility and advocacy that matters for people-to-people travel and community programs. Regional Tourism Trade: Fiji hosted SPTE 2026 in Nadi, bringing 225+ participants and a strong mix of sellers and international buyers, with Fiji Airways backing the event to boost Pacific connectivity. Kiribati Travel & Business: Fiji’s tourism spending and its measurable support for small businesses is now under parliamentary scrutiny, even as officials cite record participation and outcomes from SPTE 2026. Pacific Events: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 kicks off in Māngere with a major, diverse line-up, including Kiribati youth dance, offering a cultural draw for visitors across Aotearoa and beyond. Climate Watch: WMO warns El Niño is likely to form soon, raising the odds of extreme weather impacts across the Pacific—something travelers and operators in Kiribati will want to plan around. Aviation Mystery (Kiribati link): A new Earhart search effort is set for Nikumaroro, with the Kiribati government clearance process helping shape the expedition timeline.

Kiribati UN win: Kiribati has secured a historic seat on a major UN gender body, a milestone that will be watched closely by I-Kiribati communities and partners across the Pacific. Regional travel & culture: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 kicks off in Māngere with a big, diverse line-up, including a Karibati youth dance, and runs across multiple venues before moving north for Matariki programming. Tourism connectivity: Fiji Airways is set to resume direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from September 22, twice weekly, boosting seats and making it easier for travellers and regional delegates to connect. Tourism industry spotlight: Fiji hosted SPTE 2026, and local reporting notes questions in Parliament about whether tourism promotion spending is delivering measurable support for smaller businesses. Climate watch for travellers: The WMO says El Niño is likely to emerge soon, raising the odds of more extreme heat and shifting rainfall patterns across the Pacific region. Kiribati-linked research: A new push to locate Amelia Earhart’s plane is planned around Nikumaroro, with the expedition tied to clearances with the Government of Kiribati.

Tourism Trade & Funding: Fiji hosted SPTE 2026 again, positioning the South Pacific Tourism Exchange as a major regional marketplace with 225+ participants, including 82 sellers from 17 countries and 60 buyers from 16 markets, plus an Industry Day on aviation, sustainability, digital marketing and crisis management, and a Women in Business Showcase aimed at boosting market access for women-led enterprises. Regional Tourism Accountability: Fiji’s tourism spending is now facing scrutiny in Parliament, with Deputy PM and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka defending Fiji’s annual $20,000–$40,000 support and its role as a regional hub for tourism coordination. Kiribati Finance & Access: A new look at Kiribati’s economic future argues fintech matters most for overcoming distance—helping people and MSMEs access financial services across 33 atolls where transport and delivery are major barriers. Visitor Data for Planning: SPTO and Niue Tourism (via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative) released 2024 International Visitor Survey findings, highlighting key source markets (NZ dominant) and visitor profile trends to guide destination strategy across the region, including Kiribati. Climate Watch for Travelers: The WMO warns El Niño is likely to emerge soon (80% chance before September), raising the risk of extreme heat and shifting rainfall patterns across the Pacific and beyond. Kiribati-Linked Discovery: Purdue’s Earhart search plan has moved into 2026 with a trip to Nikumaroro, a remote Kiribati island tied to the theory that the Electra reached the reef rather than crashing into open sea.

Regional Tourism Trade: Fiji hosted SPTE 2026 for the third time, bringing Pacific tourism businesses and partners together at the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, with Fiji Airways backing the event and a program featuring aviation, sustainability, digital marketing and crisis management plus a Women in Business Showcase. Tourism Funding Scrutiny: Fiji’s tourism promotion spending is facing questions in Parliament, with Deputy PM and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka defending annual contributions to SPTO and the exchange’s reported record participation and outcomes for small businesses. Kiribati & Pacific Visitor Demand: Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office shared key findings from the 2025 International Visitor Survey under the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, highlighting visitor source markets and age patterns that can help destinations plan better. Climate & Travel Risk: The WMO warns El Niño is likely to emerge soon (80% chance before September), with knock-on effects across the central and eastern Pacific that could shape travel conditions and seasonal planning for island communities. Kiribati Economy & Fintech: A look at how fintech could support Kiribati’s economic future by improving access to financial services across remote atolls as connectivity improves. Visitor Spend Update: April 2026 visitor spending rose in preliminary figures despite slightly fewer arrivals, with higher average daily spend and shorter stays—useful context for tourism operators planning for demand shifts.

Regional Tourism Trade: Fiji hosted SPTE 2026 for the third time, bringing Pacific cultures, businesses, and partnerships together at Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, with the Crown Convention Centre set up for big delegate networking and meetings; Fiji Airways backed the event as Platinum Sponsor to keep regional travel links strong. Tourism Data for Planning: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office (via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative) released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, highlighting visitor source patterns (New Zealand top), age trends, and how the data is meant to guide sustainable tourism growth across Pacific destinations including Kiribati. Climate Watch for Travelers: The WMO says there’s an 80% chance El Niño forms before September (rising to 90% mid-year), with knock-on effects like heavier rain in some regions and drier, hotter conditions elsewhere—important context for Pacific travel planning. Kiribati-Linked Expedition: A new push to find Amelia Earhart’s plane is planned for Nikumaroro, with the team departing from Majuro and working on the island in late July, after clearances with the Government of Kiribati. Pacific Infrastructure & Connectivity: Quad foreign ministers’ decisions point to more investment in ports, maritime surveillance, cables, and mineral partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, including a port in Fiji—signals that travel and logistics routes may keep shifting. Tourism Funding Scrutiny: Fiji’s tourism promotion spending tied to SPTE 2026 faced questions in Parliament, with claims of limited measurable support for small businesses alongside defense of Fiji’s hub role.

Tourism Data for the Pacific: SPTO and Niue Tourism Office (PTDI, NZ-funded) released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, highlighting visitor preferences, spending and experiences—useful for planning more resilient, sustainable growth across Kiribati and other PTDI partner destinations. Weather & Travel Risk: The WMO warns there’s an 80% chance El Niño forms before September (up to 90% later), with knock-on effects across the Pacific—more rain in some areas and drier, hotter conditions in others. Kiribati Tourism Spotlight via Trade: Fiji’s Viliame Gavoka says the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2026 (in Nadi) delivered record participation, helping smaller islands like Kiribati and Niue connect with airlines, hotels and international buyers. India–Kiribati Business Links: In Suva, India’s High Commissioner met Kiribati’s tourism/commerce delegation to explore deeper cooperation in copra and coconut oil development. El Niño + Climate Context: The broader forecast underscores why Pacific travel planning needs to factor in extreme heat and shifting rainfall patterns. Regional Infrastructure Politics: Quad partners’ new agenda includes ports and maritime initiatives (including a Fiji port), shaping how connectivity and logistics may affect tourism routes. Aviation Mystery Returns to Nikumaroro: Purdue/ALI plans a 2026 expedition to Nikumaroro to investigate the Earhart-linked “Taraia Object,” with travel logistics routed via Majuro.

Tourism Data for the Pacific: SPTO and Niue Tourism Office (via the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative) released the 2024 International Visitor Survey, sharing what visitors prefer and how they spend—useful for planning smarter, more sustainable trips across Kiribati and the wider region. Weather Watch for Travelers: The WMO says El Niño is likely to form soon (80% chance before September), with knock-on effects that can mean heavier rain in some places and drier, hotter conditions in others—something Kiribati visitors and operators should factor into travel planning. Earhart Search Update: A new push to find Amelia Earhart’s lost plane is set for Nikumaroro in late July to mid-August, with the team departing from Majuro—an eye-catching Pacific history angle that could boost interest in island visits. Regional Tourism Trade: Fiji’s Deputy PM and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka defended Fiji’s funding role for the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE), saying it helps smaller islands like Kiribati reach global buyers; SPTE 2026 reportedly drew 225+ participants and 60 international buyers. Kiribati–India Cooperation: India and Kiribati met in Suva to strengthen ties on copra and coconut oil development—good news for local livelihoods that support tourism supply chains. Pacific Infrastructure & Ports: The Quad’s new agenda highlights ports, cables, and minerals, with a focus on Fiji—signals that connectivity upgrades could shape future travel routes and regional access.

Aviation Mystery Meets Kiribati Links: Purdue and the Archaeological Legacy Institute are planning a new expedition to Nikumaroro in 2026 to investigate the long-debated Earhart “Taraia Object,” after clearance delays with Kiribati pushed the trip from 2025 to July 28–Aug 14. Pacific Tourism Trade: Fiji’s Tourism Exchange (SPTE) is defending its 2026 results in Parliament, saying it drew 225+ participants and helped smaller island states like Kiribati connect with international buyers. Kiribati Visitor Numbers: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Tourism Authority of Kiribati released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey 2025 report, with 333 responses and an estimated 2025 tourism economic impact of about USD 12.8m. Copra & Coconut Oil Talks: India and Kiribati met in Suva to strengthen cooperation on copra and coconut oil development. Maritime Safety Training: AFP and French forces trained Kiribati police divers in investigative diving to support counter-narcotics and port/maritime security. Regional Infrastructure Push: The Quad’s new agenda highlights ports, cables and minerals across the Indo-Pacific, with Fiji in focus.

Aviation Mystery Meets Kiribati: Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute are pushing a new search for Amelia Earhart’s lost plane to 2026, with a planned trip to Nikumaroro (Kiribati) in late July to investigate the long-debated “Taraia Object,” with a possible follow-up season if identification and recovery are needed. Pacific Tourism Trade: Fiji’s Deputy PM and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka defended Fiji’s funding role for the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) after questions about measurable support for small businesses; he says SPTE 2026 in Nadi drew 225+ participants (82 sellers across 17 countries/territories) and 60 international buyers, plus industry and women-in-business showcases. Kiribati Visitor Data: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Tourism Authority of Kiribati released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey (IVS) 2025 Annual Report, using 333 valid responses (about 10% of 2025 arrivals) to map visitor spending and satisfaction, estimating tourism’s 2025 economic impact at about USD 12.8 million. Copra & Coconut Links: India and Kiribati met in Suva to strengthen cooperation on copra and coconut oil development, with discussions led by Kiribati’s tourism/commerce minister and India’s High Commissioner. Maritime Safety Training: AFP and French Armed Forces trained Kiribati police divers in French Polynesia on investigative diving to support counter-narcotics and maritime operations, including underwater inspection and search-and-rescue skills.

Aviation mystery meets Kiribati ties: Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute are planning a new expedition to Nikumaroro in late July 2026 to investigate the long-debated “Taraia Object,” with a possible follow-up season in 2027 if the site yields answers about Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan. Pacific tourism data for better trips: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and the Tourism Authority of Kiribati released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey (IVS) 2025 Annual Report, based on 333 responses, estimating tourism’s 2025 economic impact at about USD 12.8m and mapping visitor spending and satisfaction. Regional trade push for small operators: Fiji’s tourism ministry defended its role funding the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) in Nadi, saying the 2026 event drew 225+ participants (including sellers from across the Pacific and 60 international buyers) and included support for MSMEs and women entrepreneurs—highlighting opportunities for Kiribati operators. Kiribati–India business links: In Suva, India and Kiribati discussed strengthening cooperation in copra and coconut oil development, with Kiribati’s tourism and commerce delegation meeting India’s High Commissioner. Maritime safety training: AFP and French forces in Tahiti trained Kiribati maritime police divers in investigative diving to help counter illicit cargo and support port and rescue operations. Visa costs to boost Pacific travel: New Zealand plans to reduce visa fees for Pacific visitors (including a 12-month drop) to deepen connections, with officials flagging a small revenue impact. Tourism and travel policy context: A separate report on visitor spending in April 2026 shows total spending up year-on-year even as arrivals dipped slightly, with higher average daily spend.

Tourism Trade & Data: Fiji defended its role funding the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) in Suva, saying it helps Pacific partners access global markets; the 2026 event drew 225+ participants, including 82 sellers from 17 countries and 60 international buyers, plus a new Women in Business Showcase. Visitor Insights: The Tourism Authority of Kiribati and SPTO released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey (IVS) 2025 Annual Report, with 333 valid responses (about 10% of 2025 arrivals) estimating tourism’s 2025 economic impact at USD 12.8m. Maritime Safety Training: AFP and French Armed Forces trained Kiribati police divers in Tahiti, equipping them with underwater inspection skills and new gear to support counter-narcotics and port/maritime missions. Kiribati–India Links: Kiribati and India met in Suva to strengthen cooperation on copra and coconut oil development. Regional Travel Costs: New Zealand’s Pacific visa fee cuts and longer multi-entry options are expected to reduce revenue by about $1–2m per year, with funding shifts planned. Policy Debate: ACT in New Zealand clarified its proposed $6/day temporary visa charge would not apply to RSE seasonal workers after earlier confusion. Culture & Curiosity: A viral feature again put Kiribati in the spotlight for its “skipped day” in 1994, a date-line quirk that still shapes how visitors plan travel.

Tourism Trade & Small Business: Fiji defended its role as a key funder of the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) in Suva, saying it helps Pacific partners access global markets, while Parliament scrutiny focused on whether the spend delivers measurable support for smaller businesses. Kiribati Tourism Data: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Kiribati’s Tourism Authority released the Kiribati International Visitor Survey (IVS) 2025 Annual Report, with 333 valid responses (about 10% of 2025 arrivals) feeding into future marketing and tourism planning. Regional Tourism Deal-Making: SPTE’s 2026 push is credited with record participation—225+ delegates, including 82 sellers from 17 Pacific countries/territories and 60 international buyers—plus a Women in Business Showcase aimed at improving market access. Kiribati–India Cooperation: Kiribati and India met in Suva to strengthen ties on copra and coconut oil development, with the discussion led by Kiribati’s tourism and trade minister and India’s High Commissioner. Maritime Safety for Visitors & Trade: AFP and French Armed Forces trained Kiribati police divers in investigative diving to counter maritime threats, including illicit drug trafficking, and handed over specialised equipment. Visa Fees Shake-Up: New Zealand’s Pacific visa fee cuts and longer multi-entry options are expected to reduce government revenue by about $1–2 million a year, with officials saying funding will be managed via budget transfers. Air Kiribati Operations: Air Kiribati’s chairman said fuel prices haven’t risen yet due to low consumption, but expects impacts soon, while pushing for 24/7 airport operations and more regional connectivity to support tourism growth.