PALAU
340 islands, one fine tourist destination
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PALAU Formed of around 340 coral and volcanic islands, Palau is known as the diver’s paradise with its abundance of underwater gems and military relics making for fascinating viewing Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Jordan Levey
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erched above Indonesia and 550 kilometres to the west of the Philippines, Palau is an extraordinary nation. Made up of 340 coral and volcanic islands on the Kyushu-Palau Ridge, the archipelago offers some of the most breathtaking underwater sights one is likely to see. From unspoiled coral and pristine beaches to Second World War relics (on land and under the sea) and offroad jungle treks, Palau more than
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makes up for what is a tiny area of land. Around 18,000 inhabitants live on these islands, the main population centres being found in Babelthuap (Babeldaob), Koror, Malakal, Arakabesan, and Peleliu. Despite their remoteness, the islands have a long settlement history. It is believed that they were first inhabited around 2,000 to 3,000 years ago by Malays from Indonesia, Melanesians from New Guinea, Philippine natives, and some Polynesians from outlying
ASIA Polynesian islands in Micronesia. Since the Second World War, the government has been the major employer here, although many rural areas operate on a subsistence economy. The USA continues to provide financial support to the nation, its official currency still being the US dollar. Tourism has provided a recent economic boost, a shift which has helped see Palau generate one of the highest per capita incomes in the region.
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The Business End
FACTS & FIGURES PALAU’S ECONOMY HAS been a story of growth since the turn of the millennium, the country passing landmark legislation to introduce a minimum wage in 1998. The law does not apply to foreign workers, who make up a significant proportion of the labour force, in particular those coming from the Philippines and Taiwan. Major exports include tuna and clothing, while further government income is generated by licensing permits to foreign fishing vessels. In the rural regions, common activities include the gathering and cultivating of taro, sweet potato and cassava. Tourism has grown considerably over the past few decades and is a vital economic contributor to Palau’s economy. According to the International
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Monetary Fund, 2017/2018 saw tourism receipts of $114.2 million, a figure forecast to rise to $137.7 million by 2019/2020. World Bank figures estimate that Palau saw 123,000 tourist arrivals in 2017. The country has embarked on a five-year Responsible Tourism Policy Framework, an initiative supported by the country’s Tommy Remengesau. Writing in the framework document published in 2017, he said: “Tourism continues to provide for more than half of our economy, with the industry contributing 51 percent of our GDP. “Growing our tourism industry responsibly is essential to Palau’s economic vitality. A stronger, more diversified industry will provide Palau with improved infrastructure, career opportunities for our youth, and a higher standard of living.”
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Capital: Melekeok Languages: Palauan, English Area: 490 km2 Population (2018): 17,900 GDP (2017): $272 million Currency: US dollar Time zone: Palau Time (GMT +9) Dialling code: +680 Internet TLD: .pw Climate: Tropical rainforest
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Blue Marlin was established as a dive shop in 1987. Since then we have been committed to providing an inclusive, safe and fun dive experience for our customers, and we are proud to say that our safety record has remained impeccable since our opening. We consider it our mission to show visitors that Palau is the top spot for diving. That is why we are continuously researching new dive sites, fish behavior and spawning events. In 2010 we were the first to discover the mass spawning of the bumphead parrotfish, which now attracts divers and scientists from all over the world. Our shop is conveniently located at the 5-star Palau Royal Resort with the boat pier right in front. Our comfortable facilities include a spacious logging area, hot showers and clean spaces for rinsing equipment.
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ail : bm @b luem arlin palau.c om | bluemarlinpalau.com
Come dive with us and we are sure that you will love Palau’s ocean as much as we do. We hope to see you soon at Blue Marlin!
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In Focus Koror City KOROR CITY, ON the island of Koror, served as the provisional capital of Palau until 2006, when it was moved to Melekeok in eastern Babelthuap. The island was devasted during the Second World War but has emerged as one of the country’s most important economic and tourist centres in the time since. Its natural harbour provides several major anchorages, the most significant being at Ngemelache, which is now Koror City’s primary industrial and shipping suburb. Around three quarters of Palau’s inhabitants live here, the city being one of the most densely populated in the whole of Micronesia.
Despite this, Koror City is by no means a metropolis, instead retaining the feel of a provincial town. Home to many excellent restaurants, unique shops, small museums and a mixture of monuments, it is the ideal launchpad from which to hop onto the more scenic islands. It is a short boat ride from the Rock
WCTC Shopping Centre
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Downtown, Koror City
Islands archipelago, and most activities such as diving, kayaking and snorkelling can all be organised via operators who have bases in Koror City. On a more practical note, most of Palau’s accommodation options are found in here, featuring an array of options from standard motels to resorts which offer sea views.
WELCOME TO PARADISE...
Enjoy Beautiful Palau at Sea Passion Hotel Located on the island of Malakal Koror, Sea Passion Hotel boasts the largest hotel room on the Palau Islands.
CONTACT P.O.BOX 10068, KOROR, REPUBLIC OF PALAU, 96940 Tel: +680 488-0066, Fax: +680 488-0077 reservations@seapassionhotel.com www.seapassionhotel.com
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Palau Visitors Authority “WE ARE COMMITTED to promote our heritage and the unique attractions of Palau through sustainable tourism development and the encouragement of responsible practices.” This is the mission statement of the Palau Visitors Authority. Charged with promoting tourism in the country, the organisation is headed up by Managing Director Stephanie Nakamura, who set aside some time to answer a few questions about the nation’s offering members of the board, appointed by for travellers. the President, with consent of the Senate. Asia Outlook (AsO): Can you firstly Its primary responsibility is to talk us through the origins of the develop policies and guidelines as Palau Visitors Authority, how it came a basis for PVA’s operational and about, and its initial vision? marketing direction; it directs policies Stephanie Nakamura (SN): Palau’s and work activities of the Authority first tourist office was established in through the Managing Director, who in 1972 under the Economic Development turn directs the day to day activities of Office of the Trust Territory the organisation. Government, and it was known as The Board has another key the Palau Tourism Commission. The responsibility in that it recommends Tourism Re-Organization Act of 1982 to the President and the Congress under Palau Public Law 1-49 ended the passages of legislation pertaining Tourism Commission and established to tourism. The PVA acts as a liaison the Palau Visitors Authority (PVA). between the tourism industry and the PVA is a semi-autonomous body community, particularly the states, created by law to promote and in accessing and encouraging the encourage the development and establishment of potential tourist sites marketing of tourism as one of the and suitable activities for the purpose primary economic sectors of the of spreading tourist traffic throughout Republic. PVA is composed of seven Palau. PVA is responsible for generating awareness about tourism to all segments of the community in Palau to ensure that the Palauan people understand what tourism is about, what it does, and how it effects our island nation.
SN: To this day, Palau Visitors Authority continues to promote our heritage and the unique attractions of Palau through sustainable tourism development and the encouragement of responsible practices. The first product of the Alii Pass programme offers uniqueness and is one of the few cultural experiences tourists can find on islands. PVA believes this Airai State cultural tour and all other future tours that will be part of the Alii Pass programme deserve to be highlighted. AsO: How would you say Palau has developed in recent years as a business travel hub? Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Palau? SN: Palau has become home to more and more well-developed hotels and resorts over the years, as well as health and education infrastructures. Palau is known for its pristine seas and nature, which are preserved by our culture. We are also known as the ideal family friendly, world-class destination.
AsO: Are there any specific attractions, landmarks or places to eat and drink that you would recommend? SN: We are renowned for nature, which is preserved or has been created by our culture and recent past – key attractions include birdwatching, caves, dolphin experiences, sharks, shipwrecks, waterfalls, WWII monuments and more. This year we won a PATA Gold Award (for community-based tourism) for the Airai State Cultural Tour, a AsO: Since inception, how has the rich and eco-friendly guided tour, an Palau Visitors Authority developed experience like no other on the island and progressed in terms of its key where culture, history, traditional objectives and the messages it tries to performances and Palauan delicacies get across? are wedded into a one-day experience.
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PALAU BREWING COMPANY TEL. 488-4055
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Outlook Recommends “Divers swear by Palau’s exciting seascape, fascinating wrecks and stunningly diverse marine life – it’s not dubbed ‘the underwater Serengeti’ for nothing” – Lonely Planet
ACCOMMODATION
Palau Royal Resort
Palau Sea Passion Hotel Based just five minutes’ drive from Koror, Sea Passion Hotel presents an ideal option for scuba diving enthusiasts. The hotel comes with its own private beach, an outdoor pool and restaurant, with some rooms also housing their own private balcony or patio. It is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Koror Airport.
The Dudek’s Nest BNB 10
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Palau Central Hotel
Nature Island Resort
Carolines Resort
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Waterfront access, not a beach.
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Free 2-person kayaks and paddleboards available for guests.
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For more information about The Dudek’s Nest BnB, Koror, Palau visit:
Airbnb.com | Booking.com or email gordonbnb@gmail.com
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Outlook Recommends SHOPPING
Palauan Night Market RESTAURANTS
Western Caroline Trading Company WCTC is the oldest and largest Palauan corporation with over 450 employees and over 35 business entities. Its main business is grocery retail and wholesale, but its offerings are also diversified: hotels, restaurants, department stores, a hardware store, and car sales, to name a few.
Drop Off Bar & Grill
Elilai
Blue Marlin Blue Marlin is a dive shop and scuba diving course provider. Having started life in 1987, it expanded into the Palau Royal Resort in 2005 and has won a string of awards for its services, including the Best Diving Service Award. In the 30 years of its operation, the company has not had to report a single serious accident.
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Service, comfort and convenience in the centre of downtown Palau
Palau Central Hotel www.palaucentral.com reservations@palaucentral.com + 680 488 4500
P.O. Box 1724, Koror, Palau 96940 +680 488 3755 / 3754 | +680 488 3756 reservation@carolines-palau.com www.carolines-palau.com
RELAX AND
RENEW
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Outlook Recommends RESTAURANTS
AIRLINES
Kramer’s Cafe
Asiana Airlines
Fish ‘n Fins Palau
China Airlines
Island Seed
BOAT TOURS & WATER SPORTS
Rock Island Café
Palau Dive Adventures Neco Marine Blue Marlin Sam’s Tours
Emaimelei Restaurant & Kumangai Bakery Canoe House Mesekiu Waterhole Bar Coconut Terrace Restaurant 14
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Korean Air United Airlines Lanmei Airlines
Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, Sam’s Tours is the most award winning dive center in Palau. This 5-star PADI IDC facility offers everything from diving tours and courses to kayaking kayak and land-based tours around Palau’s stunning scenic natural wonders. The company is a pillar in the community and works tirelessly on conservation based initiatives.
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P.O. Box 10108, Malakal, Koror, Palau 96940 E-mail: info@palau-royal-resort.com Telephone: (+680) 488-2000 www.palau-royal-resort.com
PALAU SUP & SURF
Our service policy is safety operation and diving, delicious meal and good hospitality.
Award of 19 consecutive years in Japan’s Marine Diving Magazine Cruise Division.
CONTACT divecruise@sporttours.co.jp Office 680-488-1120 Mob 680-775-3180,775-3181, 775-3182,775-3183,775-3184 P.O.Box37 Koror Palau 96940 Tel (680)775-7502 E: goodtimespalau@gmail.com
www.palau-sup.com
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PHOTO BY ABASAA - OWN WORK, PUBLIC DOMAIN
Transport Links
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Citizens of most countries will also be granted a 30-day tourist visa once they arrive, dependent on the showing of a passport valid for at least six months and a return or onward travel ticket. US citizens are given one-year visas. Once on the archipelago, the best way to get around is by car and boat as Palau does not have a public transport system. The cost of hiring a car varies from around $40-45 a day, with most
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PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH
SEVERAL AIRLINES OPERATE flights in and out of Palau, including Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air, United Airlines and Lanmei Airlines. The major transit hub is Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, located near Koror City. Travellers should be aware that Palau operates an international departure tax of $50, which includes a green fee of $2 and is payable by cash or credit card upon check-in at the airport.
rentals coming with an unlimited amount of mileage. Nakamura comments: “Once you arrive on Palau’s main island of Babeldaob, you have the ability to roam freely for up to 20 miles before encountering the ocean once again. If you want to get around the islands of Koror and Baeldaob, you’ll need some form of transportation. You can either rent a car or book a tour with one of our tour operators.”
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Landmark Attractions Belau National Museum & Bai
Scuba Diving •PADI Dive Courses • Kayaking
PHOTO BY ABASAA - OWN WORK, PUBLIC DOMAIN
“The Belau National Museum ( BNM ) is a non-profit semi-autonomous agency. Established in 1955, it is the oldest museum in Micronesia. Originally occupying a small Japanese era building near the police station, in 1955 the museum relocated to the first floor of the former Japanese Administration Weather Bureau. Its new permanent home was opened in 2005” – Belau National Museum
Tech Diving • Snorkeling Tours • Land Tours
www.samstours.com Japanese Military Headquarters Building
“This two-storey building was the Japanese forward command post during WWII. It was important in their efforts to control Peleliu and was very fiercely defended, but the Americans managed to bomb it in 1944” – Lonely Planet
Badrulchau Stone Monoliths
“Badrulchau is Palau’s largest and probably most ancient megalithic site… It is the heads that draw visitors to Badrulchau and give Palau the nickname “Easter Island of Micronesia.” But what most visitors don’t know is that Badrulchau’s not the only place where the stone heads can be seen” – whattoseenext.com
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