By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau — The Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) is ramping up its marketing campaign ahead of the inaugural United Airlines flight linking Narita, Japan, and Palau on Oct. 29.
On Tuesday night, about 40 Japanese hoteliers, tour operators and other members of the Japanese business community attended a presentation at the One-Stop Shop building in Koror. The event, organized by PVA and the Bureau of Tourism, featured updates on efforts to promote Palau to Japanese travelers before the launch of the new route.
“Efforts began in February to market this flight,” PVA Managing Director Kadoi Ruluked said at a press conference Wednesday. “In April this year we traveled to Japan to meet with representatives of Long Stay foundation, an organization of retirees and digital nomads interested in moving to other places to live and work or retirees who are looking for destinations to retire and stay long term.”
Long Stay has about 2,500 members and is part of a growing travel trend in Japan, where about 1.2 million people participate in such programs. Ruluked said Long Stay members visited Palau earlier this year and will publish a guidebook on the island nation in September aimed at their Japanese clientele.
During the same April trip, PVA met with Japan’s School Trip Bureau, which helps organize travel for elementary and high school students. “The aim of this arrangement is to find possible young travelers in hopes of developing repeat travelers to Palau,” Ruluked said.
PVA is also coordinating with Japanese lifestyle and travel magazines. “We are investing a lot on these programs,” Ruluked said.
As part of its promotions, PVA has launched the “Paradise Unlocked” campaign, giving away two flight tickets each to winners from Japan, the United States and Europe. “The person with the most tags, likes and shares of PVA social media posts will win these flight tickets,” Ruluked said. “We have received 2,249 entries, and the giveaway will end on October 10. We plan to announce the winners on that inaugural flight.”
Minister of Tourism Ngirai Tmetuchl said the marketing drive will conclude Oct. 13, the final day of the Osaka Expo. Palau brochures and hotel information are being distributed at the Palau Pavilion to an estimated 8,000 visitors.
“This route opens up another hub,” Tmetuchl said. “United Airlines flies globally through Narita, so we would expect passengers from the East and West coasts of the U.S. and Europe.”