January 27, 2020 - Given the rapidly increasing number of confirmed 2019 Novel coronavirus (nCoV) cases in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and in Macau, the National Emergency Committee on January 27th recommended to President Tommy E. Remegnesau, Jr. to prohibit chartered flights from the People’s Republic of China and temporarily suspend all direct chartered flights from Hong Kong and Macau until further notice. Vice President Raynold Oilouch and the National Eme

Koror- Tourism arrivals in the tiny nation of Palau continue to drop dramatically, with forecasts signaling visitors for 2019 will fall under 100,000 for the first time since 2011. Tourists at Palau's famous Rock Island. Photo by Kambes Kesolei The latest economic review by the Graduate School USA, describes the situation as a ‘crisis’. It says declining arrivals are expected to continue through the fiscal year 2019, with an expected drop by 25 percent to less than 90,000.

Koror- Palau Visitors Authority has alerted the tourism industry of the growing cases of dengue fever and the need to help combat the outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus on fears that it might take a toll of the country's tourism already suffering from declining arrivals.I Image by Himas Rafeek from Pixabay “Due to the ongoing outbreak of dengue fever, we take this time to kindly remind all of our partners of the growing number of reported dengue fever cases in the past mont

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

Palau seeks to get a share of the growing wedding market Koror — Tying the knot in paradise is a dream wedding for many couples — especially the Japanese — and with the rise in the popularity of destination weddings worldwide, Palau seeks to tap into this niche market. Efforts are being made to market the Pacific nation as a destination to exchange vows—a segment of the market that its neighboring islands, Guam and Saipan, specialize in. You can never go wrong with picturesq

Palau builds foundation to attract new markets Koror — Palau has the makings to become a top world tourist destination. That’s the view being promoted by its president, Tommy Remengesau Jr. through both rhetoric and government policy. While other countries squander their resources, Palau is committed to protecting theirs. While others focus on profit rather than sustainability, the island nation wants to attract tourists with high spending power who also back sustaining its e

Koror- Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. said the tourism industry is facing challenges ahead but it will stay on course its policy to moderate mass tourism in favor of high-value tourism that focuses on niche markets. “We must stay the course and implement our vision of a high-value tourism model,” said in his State of the Republic Address delivered on Tuesday, April 17. President Tommy Remengesau Jr. delivers his State of the Republic Address (SORA), April 17. Photo cour

Koror- Palau bagged the top award as the Best Diving Area Overseas and second place for Best Dream Area Overseas at the annual Marine Diving Fair in Japan on April 6-8. Palau Ambassador to Japan, Francis Matsutaro, and Palau Visitors Authority Managing Director Stephanie Nakamura received the award on behalf of Palau. Several tourism-related companies in Palau also bagged awards during the fair. Palau Pacific Resort received first place for Best Hotel for Divers Overseas, Pa

Koror — There cannot be many places like Helen Reef left in this world — a place remote but accessible, inhabited but not spoiled, wild but not hostile. Memories and impressions compete. There are the thousands of seabirds whose cries fill the air as you approach, wheeling and diving above you. There are the gentle waves lapping on the sandy shore of this low lying island with its scattering of huts and accommodations. And there is the bioluminescense sparkling in the boats

Koror-- Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. has signed a measure into law offering tax credits to wealthy foreign investors with the intention of promoting tourism that brings in more revenue to the government with less negative impacts on the environment. “With the signing of these amendments, we once again show that Palau is committed to the development of high-end, high-value, low-impact tourism,” Remengesau stated in his signing statement. Water bungalows in Palau Pacifi