Palau’s tourism ministry is exploring the possibility of attracting tourists from Hainan Island, China.
In the press conference Wednesday, Tourism Minister Nigari Tmetuchl said Palau is keen to open its doors to visitors from Hainan Island.
Hainan, which is located in China’s southernmost province has been touted as an upcoming international destination.
According to reports 81 million domestic and overseas tourists visited southern China’s tropical island province of Hainan in 2021, up 25.5 percent year-on-year, which is equivalent to 97.5 percent of the number in 2019, local authorities said on Jan 13.
Chinese tourists used to be Palau’s top market accounting for over 50 percent of its arrival in 2018. The number of Chinese visitors dwindled before and after COVID.