Kiribati balances hope and hardship as tourism finds new life

As sea levels rise, this Pacific nation turns to sustainable travel for economic resilience

Anote Tong has been addressing the threat of rising sea levels for many years. This photo, taken during the 2017 event Our People, Our Land, Our Future (ICZ_DIE, 10 November 2017), captures his ongoing advocacy for climate justice and the survival of Kiribati. Photo: German Institute, Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

Kiribati – one of the world’s most isolated and climate-threatened nations – is cautiously opening its shores to a new kind of traveler: one who respects its fragility and supports its survival.

Scattered across the equator, Kiribati’s 33 low-lying coral atolls have long been overlooked by mainstream tourism. But that may be starting to change. In 2025, the island government launched a national push to promote sustainable, community-based tourism—a key pillar of its latest development strategy.

Climate threat remains real

For decades, Kiribati has been a frontline symbol in the global climate debate. Much of the country rises no more than 3 meters above sea level. Rising tides, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion already threaten homes, agriculture, and drinking water.

Despite this, Kiribati is not folding. The government, together with regional partners, has adopted long-term resilience strategies, and tourism is emerging as a potential economic lifeline.

In a striking scene from the documentary Anote’s Ark, former Kiribati President Anote Tong stands barefoot in the rising waters of the Pacific Ocean. The moment, quiet but powerful, captures the urgency of his mission—to show the world that climate change is not a future threat for Kiribati, but a present and personal crisis already reshaping lives.

The president who stood in the sea

One of the most iconic images ever linked to climate change came not from a disaster zone—but from a quiet, symbolic act by a world leader standing alone in the ocean.

Anote Tong, President of Kiribati from 2003 to 2016, captured global attention when he was photographed knee-deep in rising seawater, dressed in a formal suit. The image, widely shared across media and climate campaigns, was a haunting metaphor: the president of a nation that may vanish beneath the sea quite literally standing in the tide.

More than a photo-op, the image reflected a deeper truth—Kiribati isn’t facing a distant threat. For many I-Kiribati people, the crisis is already at their doorsteps.

During his presidency, Tong emerged as one of the Pacific’s most respected voices on climate justice. He spoke at the United Nations, met with global leaders, and helped drive home the human reality of climate displacement.

Among his boldest actions:

• «Migration with dignity»: A plan to prepare Kiribati citizens to resettle abroad—particularly in countries like New Zealand and Fiji—while retaining cultural identity and legal protections.

• Land purchase in Fiji: The Kiribati government secured 6,000 acres of land in Fiji as a possible safe haven.

• Global campaigning: Tong traveled extensively to appeal for emissions cuts and stronger climate agreements, long before climate diplomacy became mainstream.
  

Though now out of office, his legacy lives on. The image of a man standing calmly in the sea—back straight, suit on, eyes ahead—remains one of the most powerful portraits of our warming world.

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Slow tourism, big impact

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) recently unveiled a multi-year sustainability plan with support from the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI). It calls for low-volume, high-value tourism centered on cultural preservation, eco-friendly operations, and direct community benefits.

Recent developments include:

• Fanning Island’s eco-tourism revival, with fly-fishing drawing visitors from the U.S., Japan, and Australia. The locally operated Maurin Fanning Outfitters Lodge is nearly fully booked for 2025.

• Cultural celebrations on Kiritimati Island, showcasing traditional dance, music, and food during recent ministerial visits and tourism events.

Kiribati is not positioning itself as a luxury getaway—it offers something rarer: authenticity, remoteness, and meaningful travel.

Economy growing, but still fragile

Tourism currently accounts for an estimated 2%–5% of Kiribati’s GDP, though the government hopes to raise that share. The Asian Development Bank forecasts 4.1% economic growth in 2025, with tourism playing a modest but growing role alongside fishing and foreign aid.

Infrastructure remains basic. Internet is limited. Flights are few. But the nation is focusing on long-term resilience through climate adaptation projects, clean energy, and education investment.

Should you visit Kiribati?

Yes—but with care and awareness. Travel here is not about comfort. It’s about curiosity, cultural respect, and supporting communities that live on the frontlines of climate change.

Visitors need:

• A valid passport (6+ months)

• A return or onward ticket

• An open mind and a willingness to adapt

There are no big hotel chains. But there are empty beaches, local guesthouses, and unforgettable interactions.

A message from the ocean’s edge

Kiribati doesn’t want pity—it wants partnership. And for travelers seeking purpose, presence, and perspective, this remote nation may be one of the most powerful destinations in the Pacific.

As its coastline recedes, Kiribati’s voice grows louder. It reminds the world that travel, when done right, can be a tool for awareness, empowerment, and solidarity.

For official travel advice and more on sustainable travel to Kiribati, visit www.visit-kiribati.com.