Kiribati - Tourism, travel, and recreation

Tourism is undeveloped because of a lack of regular transport. There is a visitors' bureau at Tarawa, and there are hotels in Betio and on Abemama and Christmas islands. The bureau makes available fishing, swimming, and boating facilities on Tarawa and arranges trips by sea or air to other islands.

Modern forms of recreation are developing, especially soccer. Traditional dancing and singing styles have survived. In 2000, 4,035 foreign visitors arrived in Kiribati. More than 1,000 tourists were from the US. Tourist receipts totaled about US $2.1 million.

In 1999 the UN estimated the cost of staying in Christmas Island at US $150 per day. Staying in the outer islands was significantly less expensive, requiring an estimated US $29 in daily expenses.