Kiribati's tourism authority is expecting 2020 to be an exciting year for cruise ship visits.
Photo: RNZ
The visits will include the first cruise to Kanton in the Phoenix Islands, which is home to the Phoenix Island Protected Area, the world's largest marine protected area, which has, up to now, had few visitors.
The Authority's chief executive, Petero Manufolaum, said that Kiribati had potential because of its undiscovered tropical locations.
He said it would work with key stakeholders on product development, tour guiding and hospitality training, as part of its cruise preparedness programme.
The visits would allow the islanders the chance to share their culture and traditional lifestyle and help generate increased economic activity.