Koror- The weak visitor arrivals for 2018 have put a strain on Palau’s economy with all tourism-related revenues showing a slowdown. Minister of Finance Elbuchel Sadang told the media at a press conference Wednesday that all the tourism-related revenue registered declines. Asian tourists sightseeing on foot. Photo by Ongerung Kambes Kesolei “There’s really an effect to the tourism-related revenue,” Sadang said.The downturn in the tourism industry is having an impact on the a

Koror-- Palau saw a 16 percent decline in arrivals from China in the last quarter of 2017, presumably a result of the Chinese government’s cancellation of the Pacific nation’s approved destination status. China instructed its tourist agencies in November last year to stop all flights to Palau in protest over its full diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which was reinforced by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit. The Remengesau administration, however, shrugged off China’s tra

The growing chatter in Mandarin begin to increase as hungry Chinese tourists briskly move toward the buffet line to scan the day’s menu before taking the food that they choose to feast on. It is organized chaos, with customers circling the dishes arranged neatly in front of them while restaurant and kitchen staff working like machines in an assembly line quick to replenish food items that are halfway to being consumed. This has become a familiar scene in the restaurants of Sa

Palau is one of the top five Pacific Island countries most popular destinations receiving 100,000 visitors more than the other 10 countries combined, according to a new World Bank report on emerging tourism markets. The Pacific Possible: Tourism report said that tourism is the economic driver of most Pacific Island economies like Palau, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu. Palau's famous tourist destination- Jellyfish Lake. Photo by Richard W. Brooks The report stated t