1. KVB Newsletter for 2nd Quarter FY2011
KOSRAE VISITORS BUREAU
AN AGENCY OF THE KOSRAE STATE
GOVERNMENT
“Kosrae - The Jewel of Micronesia”
Contact: Kosrae Visitors Bureau, Telephone: (691) 3702228, Email: kosrae@mail.fm April 15, 2011
WEBSITE: www.kosrae.com
Table of Contents: Page
1. FAM Tours from January to March 2011 1
2. PR activities in North American market from January to March 2011 1
3. KVB Administrator attended NES 2011 in Chuuk 2
4. KVB Board members 2
5. New Japanese staff for KVB 2
6. Remaining KVB Promotional Calendar for year 2011 3
7. Malem Senior citizens day 3
8. Chairman of PATA-Micronesia Chapter visits Beijing to Promote Tourism 3
9. Can you identify this photo? Text, email or, call to win!!! 4
10. Announcements for Kosrae Visitors Bureau (Mark you calendar). 4-5
FAM Tours conducted from January to March 2011
FAM is a word used in the tourism industry simply meaning “familiarization” or getting knowledgeable
in a destination. FAM tours are normally conducted when a destination sponsored a trip for media or
travel agent reps from a major tourism supply market. In January 2011, we hosted Ms. Dina Mishev in a
FAM tour sponsored by our CO airlines and KVB, a travel journalists from Wyoming USA who is help-
ing to promote Kosrae to the residents of the Rocky mountain regions of USA through stories she pub-
lished in the Internet portals atheltica.com, ran a TV special on Kosrae to more than 100,000 viewers on
WY PBS channel. We also hosted a FAM tour for Japanese cruise ship agent early in March 2011; we
were fortunate again this year to host Mr. Tatsuro Nawa who is the ship agent for the Bosei Maru, a 150
passenger cruising vessel from Tokai University Japan on a educational cruise around the Pacific which
calls on Kosrae March 16-17, 2011. Both FAM Tours were very successful and genenrated positive ex-
posure and outcomes for Kosrae tourism industry.
PR Activities in The North American Market
The Placemaking Group Inc., Kosrae’s PR agency in US, located in Oakland, CA had several promo-
tional activities developed to attract the eco-tourism niche travelers to Kosrae. We are fortunate to have
a very focused program with the Placemaking Group. Tourism blogs, destination marketing, media
press releases, travel journalists program are just a few of the hot new activities. Here are last quarter
achievements:
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2. KVB Newsletter for 2nd Quarter FY2011
1. Organized a FAM Tour from North American market in January 2011
2. Negotiated with potential travel journalists to visit Kosrae later part of 2011.
3. Conduct social network promotions
a. 181 people Like Face book page with 146 active monthly users, 4,275 page views
b. 135 followers on Twitters up by 38% from last quarter
c. 21 different blogs and articles in several websites
4. Prepare Press releases on Kosrae
5. Conducted ongoing research on elder groups, student groups, focused groups for Kosrae
6. Setting up an interview for KVB Administrator when he attends the Scuba Show 2011
7. Helped in securing advertisements and seminars for the Scuba Show 2011
KVB Administrator attended NES in Chuuk
On February 4-11, 2011, most of FSM National and State leaders got together in Chuuk, FSM to meet
and discussed key issues regarding the economy and conditions of the nation. KVB Administrator was
one of the 15 member delegation represented Kosrae to this meeting. The travel and logistics were
sponsored by FSM national government. At the meeting, there was a general plenary meeting to all par-
ticipants and then after the plenary, the conference broke up into five different smaller working groups
in the following two days with each working group around fifty members. All meetings were held at the
Chuuk Saramen Academy gymnasium. The KVB Administrator was selected by his group to be co-chair
for the Transportation Committee along with Secretary of Transportation of the nation, Mr. Francis Iti-
mai. State and national leaders went through an exercise of tackling issues/impediments to growth and
later finding the solutions to these issues. The final document from this exercise will be used to formu-
late a new strategic economic plan for the nation for the next five years.
Kosrae Visitors Bureau Board members for FY2011-2012
The KVB board is comprised mostly from private sector with three member officers from the private
sector and two from the government all appointed by the Governor with consensus from kosrae State
Legislature. The chairperson of the KVB board is Kenye Livaie who has many local business ventures
such as car rental, construction equipment rental, banking, export and is member of few other boards on
island. The vice chairman is Arthur Jonas, who is working at Upward Bound program and is currently
undertaking his master’s degree. The secretary is Katrina Adams who is local tourism operator with
businesses such as hotel, diving services, tours, restaurant, an officer of the local Chamber of Commerce
and involved in local conservation programs like NGO’s. The next is Skiller Jackson, who is the Direc-
tor of the Small Business development Center in Kosrae. The last 5th and the last slot is currently vacant
awaiting the next legislative session to verify Governor’s nominee in Mr. Isao Mike, works at the De-
partment of Resources and Development and a local taxi owner. Each board member will have a 2-year
term.
New Japanese Staff for KVB
On last week of March, 2011, new JOCV volunteer Mr. Tatsuro Murayama arrived in FSM and went
thru a one week language and orientation course in Kolonia Pohnpei. He is due in Kosrae on April 4,
2011. This young Japanese professional will be working at the KVB for the next two years. His scope
of assignment for the next two years includes not limited to the following:
- Assist research in the Japanese tourists market
- Assist development of local services and attractions to cater Japanese visitors
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3. KVB Newsletter for 2nd Quarter FY2011
- Assist development of media exposure and promotion in Japan
market
- Assist development of FAM tours for Japan market
- Assist development of collateral materials in Japanese
- Assist proposals for funding requests for the Japanese market
- Assist research and development of a PR program for the Japanese
market
- Initiate special niche products on agriculture and culture of Kosrae
for Kosrae tourism industry
- Teach young college and high school students Japanese on part time basis
Mr. Murayama used to work for H.I.S travel agency in Tokyo Japan, one of the biggest travel wholesa-
lers in Japan in the company’s marketing department. He is hoping to put his skills to the task in Ko-
srae. KVB is very excited to have such a person and will be working hand in hand with Mr. Murayama
for the next two years.
Remaining Promotional Calendar Year 2011 for KVB
Apr 29 – May 3 PATA-Mic 1st Tri-Annual Chapter Meeting, Kosrae (Micronesia)
Jun 4-5 Scuba Show 2011, Los Angeles-California (KVB)
Jul 22-25 Australia Road Show in Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne (Micronesia)
Jul 8-10 & 16-17 Marine Diving Fair & Kanku Festival, Japan (KVB)
Sep 2-3 PATA-Mic 2nd Tri-Annual Chapter Meeting, Majuro (Micronesia)
Sep 8 Kosrae Liberation Celebration weeks
TBA Micronesian Chief Executive Summit (Location to be announced)
Oct JATA World Tourism Travel Fair, Tokyo-Japan (Micronesia)
Oct (GMIF) Guam Micronesia Island Fair, Guam (Micronesia)
Oct (MWR) Guam Navy Travel Fair, Guam (Micronesia)
Oct ITT Andersen Air Force Travel Fair, Guam (Micronesia)
Dec PATA-Mic 3rd Tri-Annual Chapter Meeting (Guam) Micronesia
TBA Micronesian Chief Executive Summit (Location to be announced)
Malem Senior Citizen Culture Fair
In our last issue, we talked about a joint activity with the Malem senior citizens to hold a Culture Fair.
True to the promise, we collaboratively organized a handicraft demonstration and fair for Senior citizens
on March 17, 2011 just in time for the arrival of the cruising vessel Bosei Maru of Tokai University, Ja-
pan. There were about 130 students, teachers who visited the island and enjoyed a very nice afternoon
tour of the island and also enjoyed the culture fair put on by the Malem senior Citizens. Many people
come to see and to learn our traditional culture and had tried out some of the food. The handicrafts were
a popular item which the Japanese students bought and with them for souvenirs. We will co9ntinue to
collaborate with the senior citizens in Kosrae to hold more culture fair in the future. See our next quar-
terly newsletter issues for the announcement of these events.
Chairman of PATA-Micronesia Chapter visits Beijing to Promote Tourism
April 7, 2011 (FSM Embassy, Beijing) Mr. Grant Ismael, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Associ-
ation-Micronesia Chapter (PATA), who is also the Administrator of the Kosrae Visitor’s Bureau arrived
Beijing, China on April 6 to represent the Micronesia chapter at the 60th Anniversary conference sche-
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4. KVB Newsletter for 2nd Quarter FY2011
duled to be held at the China World Hotel from 8-12 April
2011. The Conference is expected to tackle issues concern-
ing the future development of travel and tourism in the Asia
Pacific region – the world’s fastest growing market. Taking
advantage of the visit to China by the Chairman of the PA-
TA-Micronesia Chapter, the FSM Embassy arranged a meet-
ing with the representatives of the Pacific Islands Forum
Trade Office (PIFTO) in Beijing to discuss possible coopera-
tion and partnership in the area of tourism. PIFTO is a sub-
sidiary of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat whose mis-
sion in Beijing is to promote trade and business opportunities
between Pacific island countries and China. His Excellency Ambassador Akillino H. Susaia and Chair-
man Ismael received and met with Mr. Sam Savou and his staff Ms. Vivienne Song, Tourism Develop-
ment Officer of PIFTO. The meeting with the PIFTO officials resulted in the interest to cooperate and
organize a familiarization tour (FAM tour) to the FSM. The tour would bring in travel wholesalers, me-
dia, and other respective travel agents and tour operators from China to experience firsthand what the
FSM has to offer. Chairman Ismael, Ambassador Susaia, and Mr. Savou all agreed to the positive pro-
motion that the FAM tour will bring to the FSM and all have agreed to work together to support the
FAM tour proposal. The first tour is being planned and hoped to be carried out by June 2011 to visit Ko-
srae. Staffing Ambassador Susaia in the meeting with PIFTO were Deputy Chief of Mission Carl D.
Apis, and First Secretary Vincent Sivas.
Can You Identify Where this photo was taken? Text, Email Or, Call To Win!!!!!!!!!!!
Hint: Its somewhere in Kosrae.
Here are the contest rules:
First three persons to text this num-
ber 970-6909 or email ko-
srae@mail.fm or call 370-2228 will
win a price.
Congratulations to our
LAST ISSUE WINNERS:
1. Tilson Kephas
2. Yolanda Elanso
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5. KVB Newsletter for 2nd Quarter FY2011
Kosrae Visitors Bureau ANNOUNCEMENTS (Mark Your Calendar).
PATA Micronesia Conference to be held in Kosrae
KVB is now gearing up for the PATA Micronesia Chapter Conference in Kosrae set for April 29-May 3,
2011. The entire Micronesian region of Guam, Saipan, yap, Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Marshall Island’s
tourism officials and private sector members are going to embark on a important conference in kosrae
discussing issues relating to promotional collaborations, education opportunities, and membership bene-
fits for the association. All tourism businesses on Kosrae are welcome to attend this important meeting.
Kosrae Roadside Clean up Campaign:
The Clean Kosrae Task force selected its temporary officers on
March 9, 2011 meeting. Following officers were elected:
Chairman – Grant Ismael
Vice Chairman – Thansley Kinere
Secretary – Jason jack
Treasurer – vacant
The Task force planned on coor-
dinating another roadside clean
up campaign for April 22, 2011.
There are other clean up cam-
paigns such as shoreline clean
ups, beaches, underwater clean
up and mangrove areas clean up campaigns. On April 22, 2011 be sure to
come and join us for this worthwhile activity and have fun with the com-
munity!!
KVB Training Schedule for 2011:
(PATA Micronesia tourism workshop planned for Kosrae) by KVB staff:
PATA Micronesia had graciously offered a workshop on Customer Service
training to Kosrae tourism when they hold their conference in Kosrae on April
29, to May 3, 2011. The trainer is none other than Dr. John Salas who is a very
familiar name in the local community because of his attachment to Kosraean
and Micronesian people. Dr. John has been traveling to Kosrae Island since
the mid 1980’s and he is a good friend of many people in all islands of the Mi-
cronesian region. In addition to PATA’s collaboration, KVB is now formulat-
ing a plan to carry out two separate workshops this year for following train-
ings: 1) First Aid CPR for Tour Guide, 2) Customer service training. If you are
interested, please contact KVB during office hours or await the official announcements. The trainings
are slated for May and August 2011.
PATA EDIT Program Training In Hawaii:
We are pleased to announce that the 2011 EDIT Scholarship Program is now open t6o applicants. The
33rd Executive Development Institute for Tourism (EDIT) program will take place at the School of Tra-
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6. KVB Newsletter for 2nd Quarter FY2011
vel Industry Management (TIM), University of Hawaii, at Manoa in Honolulu, Hawaii, on July 11-22,
2011. The PATA Foundation is offering one scholarship for this program; this is valued at US$5,000
and covers registration, tuition fees, and partial support for accommodation and subsistence expenses. In
addition, one partial scholarship – to the value of US$2,500 - is also kindly offered by the Jerome A
Keller Memorial Fund. To be eligible to apply for either scholarship, the requesting organization must
be a PATA member in good standing, and the proposed candidate should hold an executive position in
the same. For information about the PATA scholarships, please contact edit@PATA.org; to enquire
about the EDIT program, please contact the TIM school assistant director, Ms. Rachel Soma at rso-
ma@hawaii.edu
Kosrae – Jewel of Micronesia Page 6