Overview:
Palau is strengthening its presence in Japan’s tourism market following the launch of direct Narita–Koror air service. At Tourism EXPO Japan 2026, Palau tourism officials and nine local operators connected with more than 40 Japanese travel industry representatives and media members, while signing a new cooperation agreement with the Japan Association of Travel Agents to support sustainable tourism and future business opportunities.
TOKYO, JAPAN — October 2026 — Palau made a strong appearance at Tourism EXPO Japan (TEJ) 2026, following the launch of direct air service between Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Palau’s Roman Tmetuchl International Airport in Koror via United Airlines. The new air connection marks an important milestone in strengthening accessibility between Japan and Palau and creating new opportunities for tourism development in the Japanese market.
The Palau delegation was represented by Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) Managing Director Kadoi Ruluked, Strategic Analyst II Geena Gerald, and Marketing Representative Kiruu Kanai, JICA Expert Shimomura Yasuki alongside nine local tourism operators representing accommodations, tour services, and other tourism-related businesses in Palau. During the four-day event, Palau’s participating operators had the opportunity to showcase their respective products and services directly to the Japanese travel trade and establish new business connections. The delegation networked with more than 40 Japanese tour operators, travel agents, and members of the media, creating opportunities for future partnerships, travel packages, media coverage, and increased visitation from Japan.
PVA and JATA Sign Memorandum of Understanding
A key milestone of Palau’s participation in TEJ 2026 was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Palau Visitors Authority and the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) on September 25, 2026, in Tokyo. The agreement was signed by Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority, and Yuji Hara, Chairperson of the Japan Association of Travel Agents. The MOU establishes a general framework for cooperation between PVA and JATA in areas of mutual interest and provides a foundation for strengthened collaboration between the two organizations. Under the agreement, PVA and JATA will seek to collaborate on selected projects that support the sustainable development of tourism, while promoting the protection of cultural heritage, enhancing the overall visitor experience, maintaining the quality of life of local communities and the environment, and contributing to the local economy.
The agreement also aims to increase synergies between the organizations’ existing work programs, including efforts to strengthen advocacy initiatives, tourism research, and business-to-business (B2B) events. By combining resources and expertise, the partnership is intended to support more impactful and cost-efficient initiatives while strengthening cooperation between Palau’s tourism sector and Japan’s travel industry. The signing represents an important step in Palau’s continued engagement with the Japanese tourism market and provides a framework for sustained collaboration beyond individual promotional events. With the renewed accessibility provided by the Narita–Koror direct service, the partnership is expected to further support destination promotion, industry networking, and the development of new tourism opportunities between the two markets.
Palau at Tourism EXPO Japan 2026
Tourism EXPO Japan is one of the world’s leading comprehensive tourism events, bringing together tourism professionals, businesses, government organizations, and industry stakeholders from around the globe. The 12th edition was held at Tokyo Big Sight from September 24–27, 2026, under the theme “The Changing Nature of Travel.”
The event highlighted the evolving future of tourism, including digital innovation, sustainable travel, and increasingly diverse travel preferences, while providing opportunities for destination promotion, direct marketing, business networking, and the development of new tourism partnerships. The 2026 edition brought together 1,420 companies and organizations from 74 countries and regions and attracted a total of 183,378 visitors over four days, demonstrating the continued importance of TEJ as a major platform for connecting destinations with the Japanese and international travel trade.
For Palau, participation in TEJ 2026 comes at an important time as the destination continues to strengthen its presence in Japan. The combination of direct Narita–Koror air connectivity, increased engagement with Japanese travel industry stakeholders, and the newly signed PVA–JATA MOU provides a strong foundation for expanding tourism cooperation and encouraging more Japanese travelers to discover Palau’s unique marine environment, culture, communities, and sustainable tourism experiences. Following Tourism EXPO Japan, the PVA team also made a courtesy call to the United Airlines Japan Office to share updates on Palau’s tourism sector and the destination’s strategic direction for the coming year, including opportunities to tap into niche markets such as Sports and Wellness Tourism.
PVA extends its special appreciation to Avia Reps for their invaluable support in organizing the Palau Booth, coordinating B2B meetings, facilitating the JATA × PVA MOU signing, securing media coverage, and supporting the Palau Tourism Seminar. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving as PVA’s boots on the ground in Japan contributed greatly to the seamless execution of the events, meetings, and promotional activities throughout Tourism EXPO Japan 2026. Through continued collaboration with JATA, Japanese travel partners, media, and local tourism stakeholders, Palau looks forward to building on this momentum and further positioning Pristine Paradise Palau as a premier Pacific destination for the Japanese market.